Q04

Describe an event in the world that has impacted you this year. How? Why?

I've been quite protected. The economy hasn't impacted us, although it is looming over two of my children Even floods and hurricanes led to a single night in a hotel, and tossing just a few items from the refrigerator/ freezer. On the other hand, being without power for two days showed how dependent we are on power and electronics. We had to go to a hotel because we needed TV, internet and air conditioning.

This year I got very involved with the organzation Invisible Children. They held an event called 25 where anyone who participated would be silent for 25 hours on April, 25th. 2 friends and I got our whole school very involved and excited for the event. On the event day many people were wearing the event shirts and many had pledged to be silent. Later that night I attended the break the silence event. It was full of strong Invisible children supporters from the Northwest. Everyone was silent and we watched a video explaining the current situation in East Africa and what this event/fundraiser was going to help. It showed thousands of people that were participating in the event all over the country as well. This really showed me how many people in the world are willing to stand up for a cause. I have made it my goal in life to help people and the world and this event reminded me that I am not the only one and that I can help make a difference.

The "Arab spring" protests, followed by the more recent Wall Street protests in the US. It is frustrating to be in America right now, feeling our voices stifled, our rights eroding, media ignoring the real issues and news going on, and our society growing more & more ignorant and poor - both economically and culturally. I struggle with doing too much for others and have been choosing to work on my own issues this year, but it seems as if there is no way around the need to live with an activist attitude right now. I feel that it is important to speak up about my rights and the rights of those who are unable to help themselves.

This year was the 10th anniversary of 9/11. A rather dubious anniversary to mark. There were people who walked into the World Trade Center that day that I knew, who never left. I heard the explosion of the first plane hitting and saw the second plane hit the tower. It was horrible. That day and the days and weeks after were so despairing, tension filled and confusing. And, as I was at a particularly vulnerable point in my life, I also mark my own progress from that point.

The tsunamis in Japan...I was so worried for Charlie. It made it so "close to home" for me.

Japan's tsunami. The realization of the earth's power.

The only thing that comes to mind is the Republican party in the U.S. moved more deeply into their position of denying science and reason. It saddens me about our nation, about the world of people as a whole.

the arab spring has not just affected me but many in my family who are in israel and are very affraid of whats happpening

Wow... I'd rather not think about this. Only horrible things come to mind. So much violence and hatred. So much discontent. I honestly prefer to not think about this. I know to focus on the good. SOmehow it seems to be suffocated by the media's focus on all that is sick and provocative. How about an act of kindness and grace? Wow... Nothing comes to mind... That is sad...

I think the increasing anti-immigration policies both in the U.S. and abroad have shaken my faith in, well, I don't exactly know what in. I was at the Oslo airport at the exact time when the gunman was killing all thos young people out in the harbor, but didn't know anything about it until reaching my hotel in Helsinki. People have said that the man is crazy. Not at all. Unless one considers his views on Muslims to be crazy. He's a homicidal bigot and part of a wave of this kind of nastiness that's abroad in the world. It upsets me to see that nations that have a long record of acceptance for and tolerance of people who are of different nationalities and/or religions -- Denmark and Holland come to mind are now trending in the opposite direction. The U.S. has a long tradition of nativism, not something to be proud of, but the current version seems particularly virulent.

i feel like i should say the tsunami and nuclear meltdown in japan, b/c i went there not long after and was so happy to see everyone continuing on - even though i was in tokyo which wasn't as impacted as other people... although the truth is for the second year in a row i've been so mired in my own shit that the rest of the world has had a facade of my presence and that just sucks.

the arab spring as it unfolded ,I realised that Israel would somehow become further isolated .Peace just seems an impossible goal

Something that really hit close to home happened just a few weeks ago - the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia. As a reminder, Troy Davis was a black man who had been on death row for about 20 years. His conviction was based entirely on testimony - there was no hard evidence. Recently, 7 of the 9 witnesses recanted their testimonies. Strong effort was put forth from all over the world to convince SCOTUS and Georgia officials (I'm not even sure who is in charge of this) to grant him clemency. Just minutes before the scheduled execution, SCOTUS decided to review the case once more. A few hours later they decided against clemency and he was executed that night. I felt so broken. I am a political science major, trying desperately to figure out ways to change our system from within because I'm not okay with violence and militant revolution. But in that moment I was so upset and so frustrated and so heartbroken that I couldn't foresee any time in which this terrible system could ever be better. I had some long talks with people I trust and got back on the right track. Ultimately, this tragedy has put even more fire under the work that I do.

There are a lot of events that happen in the world that I hear about and feel emotionally affected by, however, I can't say that I have any conscious understanding of how any of these events have directly impacted me. Certainly they must have. I wonder how it is that my life is so cushioned that I remain unaware of these effects.

The Egyptian Revolution was a world event that impacted me this year. I was able to go to Egypt and experience this change, and be a part of rebuilding democracy. It has been a little slow going, but important to me. I am not a middle east scholar, nor speaker of Arabic, but I like the middle east and islam.

Being in Ralph's with Andrea and EJ and hearing that Osama bin Laden had been killed. It was such an odd moment that I'll probably remember forever.

The increasing bitterness and conflict between the political parties. It made me believe more stongly in monkeyshpere, as well as creating a connection between Lou and I. I'm looking forward to learning more about what *really* makes people tick and how to navigate the world in the best way possible for me.

Economic crisis. Husband lost job; I'm hanging on to mine by a thread and any hope of retirement has gone down the drain.

The appalling weather at the beginning of this year and had nearly stopped me from going on holiday at the end of last year impacted on me hugely. I remember walking home from the station after work one day and some boys throwing snowballs at me. Being four months pregnant at the time I was livid and called the police. It confirmed in my head that I couldn't bring my daughter up in the area we live in at the moment. It's a rough council estate that has to be walked through to get to the station and back and obviously in the winter it gets dark and dangerous walking through it. I cannot wait to move now and live in a better area with nice schools and where I won't have to walk through a council estate on a regular basis to get anywhere.

The continued troubles in the world have impacted me -- not just the natural events (hurricanes, etc.) but also the general decline - the arguments, the wars, the fighting, the economic declines and collapses -- they make me think of values being lost and how do we get them back?

Going through the tenth anniversary of 9/11 made me really realize how special life is and how there is true evil in the world.

The more I've kept track of the news, the more I see all of this--world leaders' failure to provide for their people's needs, skyrocketing food prices, economic disaster, widespread water shortages in some areas and flooding in others, worldwide protests from Iceland to Libya to Wall Street--as part of the repercussions of scarcer and scarcer energy supplies and a more severely disrupted climate. We have only begun to discover the consequences of our lifestyle, but those in power are determined to keep us pointed towards the cliff at all costs. More and more I am determined to survive and to contribute to new local systems to protect and provide for my community.

I don't really have an answer to this question. I'm somewhat apathetic towards world issue and I keep myself updated for the information, not for my own feeling of "I wish I could change this."

Osama being killed. At first I didnt believe it, but then I accepted it and have mixed feelings, I feel as though all human life is valuable, I believe that he should have been captured and tried for his crimes instead of just shot.

The tsunami in Japan while so devastating was also very inspiring to see how they managed to maintain their dignity and patience in the face of so muc tragedy.

The Joplin tornado made me appreciate my family and everything I have.

Although it wasn't really an "impact" per say, but i would have to say the anniversary of 9/11 impacted me this year. The number of lives lost, everything... it really changed america. It's amazing, how in one day everything can change.

Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, the resurgence of hope all around the world, even as dark clouds crowd in around us.

I think the 10th anniversary of 9/11 has really made me reflect on where I am in the world 10 years after this huge event- it made me think about how my life and how the world is so different now.

My hometown of Binghamton, NY experienced the worst flooding in over 100 years. Whole areas of the city were underwater. Roads and bridges were washed out. Most of my family members are lucky enough to live on hills, but my stepmother's niece was forced to evacuate and her house filled with water up to the second story. Though I am now on the opposite coast, this event reminded me that we shouldn't get too secure in our houses, and that our houses themselves aren't really what matter most.

It's hard for me to say something of a global scale has really impacted me this last year. There are many things, however, which did call my attention. In Chile, there have been riots and strikes because of the ill educational system we have. But all over the world there have been similar demonstrations related to other topics, like unemployment, poverty, etc. And all of these events happening make me thing that an important change will occur in the way we live.

The possible "double-dip" recession. This year (2011) is the year that I really started paying attention to the "behind-the-scenes" machinations that is our globalized economy. Even with as much progress as I have made, I still know that my knowledge is very limited. I want to learn more.

Israel..the hole deepens. They seem to have no understanding of reality and p.r. and are making their position seem unreasonable when they have a better way to describe and rationalize their position.

anthony wiener scandal. it brought back the term 'wiener' for penis.

I have been highly affected by the Amanda Knox trial. I feel like this innocent girl has been victimized and it troubled me deeply. So, so glad that she has finally been released.

The Chilean mine collapse and rescue really renewed my interest in all things engineering/scientific/project management-related. While I've generally tried not to let myself get distracted by the events in the world that I can't control or influence, this one seemed to be the one great example of what we can often do to help, or to matter.

I'm a little embarassed to say, but I can't really think of anything in the world that has impacted me deeply enough to remember. I am very bad at reading/watching/listening to the news, and especially during this last year, I was very self-absorbed since it was such a dramatic time for me.

The recession, the one we are STILL in, is definitely hurting everyone from the top down in business. Personally I would probably be demanding a raise or looking for other work if I didn't already feel luck y to have a job in the first place.

Keystone Pipeline, Wisconsin and other protests in the USA, the Arab Spring....heartache and possibilities all at once. Hope abounds.

amy winehouses death. famine in somalia. upcoming protests. lady gaga.

US action in Libya. It amazed me how those who criticized the Iraq war were silent on this because Obama ordered it, especially my fellow Jews. I am so disturbed that Jews still support someone who is so against us.

I was surprised by the events of the Arab Spring. I didn't follow individual uprisings too closely, but I was quite taken aback by how many populations in such a wide variety of countries ended up participating. The whole domino effect was very unexpected.

Political and financial distress around the world and the talk of double dip recession has made me wonder if we are on a collision course with innevitable doom or on the bring of some major change.

It’s London Riot. I thought Britain was the most civilized country in the world. Turns out, they weren’t. The British monarch should’ve practicing a more sensible way in conducting themselves. Social class should’ve been more flexible. Treat all human equal, regardless of their social background, ethnicity, or religion.

Watching the tsunami in Japan. Seeing thousands of people and houses washing away in the currents. as if the earth had decided she was overpopulated, and needed more space to breathe. watching thousands of people, in real time, being swept away---but from a distance where it looked like inky black water, sweeping buildings---that which is visible from a far distance. knowing that there were people, losing their lives, in that instant. it felt similar to the world trade center towers, which i had seen live as well---though this time it was not an act of terror, it was mother nature, indiscriminately, expelling whatever lay in that particular regional path. Realizing the constructed sense of security. That we are all vulnerable.

Who knew that we would be in Tunisia just a few months after their revolution? It was amazing to experience a country in that type of transition, having just freed itself from dictatorship. I hope we're able to return in a few years and see all the progress they've made. Usually, tourism feels like such a subtractive act, but in this case, we felt like we were contributing to the economy of a budding new country.

I pay less attention to events in the world every year, and that's probably disastrously inappropriate. I'm afraid of becoming my father: consumed with (entirely rational and well-placed) anger at the absurd behavior of nearly everybody running the world. The anger is fine when it can push toward making things better; but it can easily suck the joy out of life. I didn't especially care when bin Laden was killed, or even (what shocked my wife and son most) when Anwar al-Awlaki was killed. These events feel outside the realm of what can be changed: although the US Congress can't agree on whether to support medical care for kids, they're pretty much of one mind about the occasional appropriateness of premeditated murder. Guess I'm afraid to be impacted. Guess that "being impacted" isn't as harmlessly intellectual a phrase as it was before drones.

The 10th anniversary of September 11th affected me more than I imagined it would. I couldn't believe it had been 10 years since this major tragedy in our nation's history. Although memories can be painful, it is important to remember all those who were affected by the events of this day, and all who showed true heroism in the face of the unthinkable.

The Egyptian revolution. I felt very much like a witness to a major, major change in the history of the world and it was humbling. Also, it made me realize that I should pay attention to things that happen in the world.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 came and went. I remember the day vividly, but not with the acute pain and PTSD I used to have. It's nice that way, but also more distant, which is less desirable. It's a day I never want to forget. The intensity of my feelings that day was immense - it's good to remember that I have that great a capacity to feel something.

This year was the 10th anniversary of September 11th. I bring this up for a number of reasons. I went to highschool near the towers. I was evacuated in 2001. I was out of school for a week and we went to another school for 2 weeks while we waited to be allowed back into lower manhattan. That day is a wash of mixed moments and memories. WHat I wore, what people talked about, beautiful things and ugly things. This year I opened up about it with a number of people in a number of different settings. Something I haven't done in literally years. This year also brought up political issues about that day. Like building a mosque at the site, which I am still for. It sickens me that people can associate extremists with a positive religious community. This year they also killed Osama Bin Laden. I am still disgusted by the response of many Americans. I would not cheer or dance over anyone's death. This year I could not walk away from that day. I think it's interesting how people can take a day and make it mean a lot of things. It's an interesting mix of patriotism, love, hate, discrimination, and passion at it's hottest. I had to deal with feelings and confusion from that day this year. And I had to deal with beginning to open up about my feelings and I think that was healthy. But it's also sad and scary and confusing.

The world event with the most impact on me this year was the heightening of the hostility towards Israel. It's made me more involved in the Jewish community, and I want to help show others how important it is to stand up for Israel too.

I think that the uprising in the Egypt this Spring impacted me quite a bit. Although I was not there, and I have no direct ties to the people of the Middle East, I found their revolt to be truly remarkable. I think that the use of technology and the social constructions that formed under the roof of the revolt were rather brilliant and something that I'd love to learn more about. The people of Egypt's accomplishments were grand, and I hope to see them build a new government that strengthens that lives of their people. To my future self: Get on that community and social service!

The amazing amount of social protest and revolutions going on around the world including in Israel. For once, I am actually proud of my generation. They are standing up for causes and not sitting idly by. May I have the courage to join them.

The killing of Osama bin Ladan really made me question my beliefs. I certainly wanted him caught, and I trust our leaders, but now that he was killed and "we" have no real proof, I wonder what I really want to happen to people like him. Death? Trial? Something else? I want to support our troops and their actions, but how can I do that if I don't know what my values around terrorists and "justice" are?

Global pollution/climate change. I realize that I need to be more aware of everything I use, throw away, or purchase. You vote with your $ and there are glass water bottles for purchase, for example.

The drought and famine in east Africa (Somalia, Kenya) has changed the way I look at aid, public health, etc. I was very against food aid... maybe even against handouts in general. But because of this devastating, horrible famine, I think I look at things differently. Yes, we need systemic, sustainable change. But we can't ignore the hungry just because it might not be sustainable. We have to be socially responsible, but we also can't ignore the immediate needs of those who suffer. The mezzo level of poverty alleviation!

I've become far more concerned, generally speaking, about the effects of global warming. From the Joplin tornado & the hurricane that hit the northeast (even threatening to destroy Manhattan), to the vast flooding in many regions of the country to the severe drought and subsequent wildfires that plague this state of Texas -- it just seems there is one extraordinary catastrophe after another in this country related to weather shifting. (Of course, tornadoes/droughts/hurricanes all the times; it is the severity & extent of these that seems to have worsened so much.) And US is not alone -- the horrific tsunami that hit Japan earlier in the year had the potential to effect every citizen of the world. Politics and weather changes -- these two are major contributors to the sense of oppression that is a daily companion to me now, and at times I dread the future.

I think the economic mess that has now persisted for several years has had the biggest effect on me. I think three times about whether to spend $20 for my husband and I to go to a movie. I expected that after my kids left home I would be able to find a job. My eldest son expected to have one full time job that he could count on enough to not be living at home while working 3 part time jobs, two of which he only works if there is work. I think the hopelessness of it is hard. And we have savings. I think of the many who are not working and don't have savings.

The world event that has impacted me the most was the tsunami in japan. The disaster came so quickly and destroyed a large part of the country. However, the one image that stick in my mind was the dog who stayed on with his injured friend. That image shows the purest of friendship and compassion in the midst of the complication world.

I am not good with history so I am not sure when this occurred, but I remember feeling impacted by the awful bush fires in Melbourne. In some weird way, I felt really Australian when they took place, I felt solidarity with Australia, I felt like my home was in danger - and this was really reinforcing for my weird sense of identity.

The revolutions in North Africa. It's great that people have taken hold of the power that should be theirs and are trying to shape their own destiny. I'm concerned about the future - will democracy prevail? will the revolution be hijacked by another generation of strongmen? how will the outcome be influenced by larger forces in the region? But overall I think it's a great thing and will help to move the world in the right direction. So few countries are really governed by their people: the more that join that group the better. We have to have faith in people that the next developments will be positive.

I think the shooting in Norway was the most unexpected and devastated event this year. I was always looking for updates of the injured and deads. It was shocking for me because I wasn't expecting this to happen in a place like Norway.

The first thing that comes to mind is Brian Stowe. I think of him often. How random the event was. How it could've been anyone. How precious life is. How much I have to cherish and how easily it could be taken away. How little my hang ups matter compared to the love I have for my family and friends. I am truly inspired by Tim Lincecum's generosity in his donation and the many Giants who stood by his bedside and made his children feel special. I wish I could help someone that much. Please get better, Brian Stowe.

The oil spill in the gulf (did that happen this year or last)? I fell guilty every day when I drive to work. I don't want to have to tell my son and my grandchildren that I did nothing. I started parking-and-biking in the spring, but then summer hit, and then my father began to die, so that's fallen by the wayside. As scary-unknown as it is, I cannot wait to begin contributing - or at least contributing less - by parking-and-biking to work.

Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast right when we were there. we were lucky. We had planned to spend the last few days of our trip in NYC but the City was closed off. So we only spent half a day there (saved a lot of money...) and had more time to spend with our cousins at their homes. Didn't get to see some of the people or places we planned to - which gives me more motivation to get my act together so we can make another trip in the future.

Grandma had a stroke the day I moved back home to West Virginia. That called for the modification of everyone's plans. We survived.

911 10 year memorial. a reminder that the hightened terrorist level has been around for a decade and we havent sorted it out yet!

I was on a business trip in London during the riots. Fortunately, none of the looting and violence was taking place in any of the areas I was in, though we had to cancel a business dinner in the center since nobody knew at the time how and where the rioting would spread. It felt like being on a compound in the middle of a war zone. The tension and frustration was nearly palpable, especially among the cabbies. London is exhausting enough on a good day, the riots added an element of danger that pretty much drained me - I'd never been so glad to leave the city.

The miners in Wales dying on the job. My family were miners and had nothing but trouble from all sides: the Conservatives, greedy partners, ill health, community tensions, strikes for example. It's incredibly tragic.

the vulcanos, the climate change. it made me clear that the Earth lives and we are libing a new Era.... which was also communicated to me by Isabelle

I think that the execution of Troy Davis had an impact on me. When he was killed I was saddened and I wept. And I am outraged that such a miscarriage of justice can occur in out country. I had been thinking that I wanted a new way to be of service in my life recently. Troy's death has me exploring how I might be able to help abolish the death penalty.

In some ways, the killing of Bin Ladin has crystallised for me the political divide among my friends.

In Sept I heard Israel cry out for peace through Bejamin Netanyahu. I have never heard a more powerful voice before that day, and my heart was broken with his in the same moment.

I am deeply disturbed by our national political scene. Elected Tea Party congressmen and women who are willing to destroy our country, governors in WI and OH who, never mentioning it in their campaigns, after election ram through union busting legislation and demonize public servants, the way that after Citizens United, money has become more powerful than the votes of individuals, the moves to make it more difficult to vote, the legislation to make abortion essentially available. Our infrastructure is crumbling, we are teaching our children to take tests, not think. Our arenas and parks are named after corporations instead of heros. Week after week of Republican debates where soundbite gibberish is presented as discourse.We are in steep decline.

Global climate change. Thanks to our ever-unpredictable weather, I have not been able to get my garden up to scratch because we've had NO summer. Rubbish!

The horrible weather. Building a house in constant rain and wind is very discouraging. Adversity wearing on us.

The obvious answer that comes to mind would be the London Riots 2011. Feeling the need to leave work early in fear of my safety (and not even in the same area as where the riots were rife) and watching the events unfold on tv made me realise how the world is a placed filled with conflict, violence and epidemic. My fiancee and I felt genuine concern for the well being of our future children and discussed whether raising a family in England is the best option to take when, as Jewish people, we are blessed with the birth right to return to Israel. Thats not to say that Israel is home to less conflict and violence. This event also provided me with perspective. However unhappy one may be with certain aspects of their life watching this anarchy helped me to 'centre' - return to a place of calm and content. I have a beautiful girl, we have our health and our family and for that I am very grateful.

The fact that we've finally had a big public conversation about Health Care in the US this year has impacted my life because it raised my hope that my children might eventually find a way to have health insurance. Right now two of my adult children have no health insurance and two of my not-quite-adult children are still covered by my family policy. The general public and the politicians in the US have entered into a conversation about the necessity of universal health care, even if we don't have it yet. In years past we've talked about moving to Canada when our daughter reaches an age where she's no longer covered under my family policy. She has congenital heart disease. Maybe we won't have to do that.

The Casey Anthony verdict. It has made me realize that our legal system is fantastic and that in order to get the truth you need to do the work

Troy Davis. Shame on us all.

The legalization of gay marriage in New York state was a hugely inspiring event. Though I'm straight (but never narrow!), I believe in love in all its various forms. I've been afraid to love my entire life. I was afraid of pain and humiliation. I thought that if I walled myself off from love and kept my standards low, I could avoid feeling anything. This didn't work. To see the people of New York celebrating the freedom to love, even though certainly many of those people have had their hearts broken, was amazing. Having suffered from both personal and cultural restrictions, the LGBT community presses on victoriously!

the step by step attempt at destruction of unions and the working class by the GOP!

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 I found interesting... The fact that Osama was finally killed (and the conspiracy theorists are really having a field day with that one), and the fact that the memorial was finally finished... Also the financial crisis... The fact that the entire world is pretty much going broke at once...

Regionally, senate bill 5 -- the collective bargaining law attacking teachers and other public employees. I am writing this a mere month before we vote to put this bill into law. This event was especially important to me for many reasons. After a long drawn internal/external debate about going back to school and becoming a teacher, I finally did it and entered a field under much criticism and scrutiny. We signed a contract extension to avoid the legislation, should it pass, and it made me nervous about my employment as a tutor. I began to get stressed about becoming a teacher and what would happen to me if I did not. Fortunately, the opportunity to become a teacher was available to me and I got in right at the right time. I am anxious to see what happens with SB5 and how the field of education will change. I'm not sure what I'll do...

Ai WeiWei being captured by the Chinese government. An act of bullying against the arts and the rest of the world standing by without doing anything, not even caring all that much or so it seemed. I worry about the stature of artists all over the world, also in my country where there are big cuts in funding. I worry about a society that does not tolerate reflection on its own affairs.

The arab street movements. I lived when was a child in a dictatorship, I knew that there was people empresioned cause of spreading their ideas. I also lived in a moment where some thaught that a direct democracy was possible (it ended in people's tribunal and death for some without a proper defense). Lets hope that they become proper democracies.

10th anniversary of 9/11. Its amazing how little control we have on things and that we have to deal with what happens. The important part is HOW we deal with it and continue living without holding too much anger. Life is precious.

The humiliation of the United States by a small group of Tea Party Republicans, who held the nation and their party hostage while achieving nothing shook me to the core. Their disrespect for the President metastasized into willingness to destroy the faith and credit of our government, and pivoted the Republican party towards scared, small-minded goals. The collapse of our educational system, especially any Federal role, was a cynical project to dumb down the electorate for the benefit of the richest Americans. Even though the entire Department of Education costs less than half the price of ONE F-22 (the budget is far below $100 million), Republicans have worked tirelessly to abolish it entirely. Our public education system is the literal melting pot that binds us. Tea Partiers reject it, preferring vouchers and home schools to diversity and community. They build gated communities, and stock up on guns to protect themselves from the imaginary mobs – people they've discarded and actively disenfranchise. Immigrants, people of color, Muslims, the poor, the sick... all have been targeted for oppression or worse. When people cheer a governor for a record number of executions, when they applaud a man's death for lack of insurance it breaks my heart. When the idiocracy believes a failed, over-funded private health care system with poor outcomes (we live fewer years, in poorer health than other industrial nations) is the best the world has to offer I'm stunned. When the system that's taken care of our parents and grandparents is called "welfare", and every disability is a personal flaw it's hard not to pray for a hard rain to fall upon those pushing that agenda. Of course this is wrong. They are us. So rather than pray for their comeuppance, let's pray for their enlightenment, and return to the community. Let's actively work to help them recognize a common wheal. Most of us don't live in homes we've built with our hands, or hold smart phones we could ever hope to design, or use apps we programmed ourselves. We rely on a community. These people are scared and angry, and deserve comfort, as well as our time. Patience is required. Life will teach those lessons sooner or later, but it's an act of mercy to share them before that hard rain washes them away.

9/11, finally. I didn't realize 10 years ago how immaturely I reacted to it. I just kept going about my life, getting my homework done...I just didn't think about it on an emotional level. This year, 1o years later, there were so many events, tv shows, etc. going on about it, and I took the time to stop and really think about it. It made me realize how young I was then, even though I felt old. It made me see myself in a critical eye - knowing that I can be naive and ignorant about things even though I feel like my feelings are right.

The repeal of DADT and the legalization/bans on gay marriage across the US. It reminded me that I have so many rights that I take for granted, and that should be basic human rights for everyone, gay and straight. The recent amendment proposal in my home state has reignited my passion for politics and I will work hard to fight the marriage ban in May.

The tornado in Joplin, MO. So many people lost so much. My preschooler and I bagged items for donation and took them to our temple. It was heartwarming to see the temple filled with so many bags and boxes of donations. What was especially touching was the Shabbat donations for the one temple in Joplin.

The revolution in Egypt was powerful for me. I was addicted to the news while it was happening, to understanding how political change was being made, to the powerful tools that we now have as generations. I have so much hope for the Middle East as our generation will move in to leadership positions, though it might take some time while current leadership gets old. As worried as I am about the implications of all of this for Israel, something has got to change in that region, and hopefully it will start with the generation that has met each other and formed connections and done things through peaceful protest.

The continuing political fighting in the US completely absurd, and is impacting everyone in this country. The total gridlock in Washington and Columbus is destroying the economy, and preventing the USA and it's citizens from being as great as we can be.

Political turmoil in both Washington, D.C. & globally. Impacted both business & caused me to become more active locally & nationally. Fed up w/ the status quo & the only way to do something about it is to do something about it.

The Arab Spring! It hasn't directly impacted me, but it's made me have more hope and interest in the middle east. Things are *moving*. It has made me feel more like I need to let my voice be heard in Israeli politics. Now more than ever, it is important to have voices of love, respecting the dignity and rights of every human, guiding Israel toward a safe and fair two state solution.

Mhh like always, I don't watch this many news. Let me think about it... Maybe the 10th anniversary of 9/11, because it was all in the media and even in the school and in a book we have to read for school. Today I heard that 19 people died from a melon. Should I eat no more melons???

This year, the 9/11 bombing commenced its 10th year. A really really elaborate and amazing memorial was held in New York, with one empty chair in this huge-ass field for every person who died on that day. It made me think of the impact that had on the world, much more 10 years ago. I guess it was only then that I truly realized how much of a rude-awakening that event really was for the entire world and seeing the intensity of the impact only made it much, much more memorable. Another thing that has had an impact on me was the death of Osama Bin Laden earlier this year (incidentally also in relation to the 10th anniversary to the 9/11). The timing couldn't have been more appropriate as it was the tenth year and when Obama announced it to the press, the world went batshit nuts and everyone just kind of felt this wave of peace, because after all this time justice was finally served. I remember first reading all about it on Tumblr and I was home, in the attic. At first I was skeptical since it could have been a prank but after a while, Obama confirmed it and I guess I felt for those who had lost their loved ones in 9/11. It was such a milestone not only for the American intelligence, but also in Barack Obama's term. It brought back this sense of security to America and the 'celebration' lasted for about a week.

The beating to death of a homeless young man by police in California. It outraged me. It sickened me. There was footage where, thankfully, you couldn't see the monstrosity happening but you could hear the man crying out for his dad in agony as they beat and tased him to death. THINGS LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. The lawyers for these police officers said that the man was resisting arrest. So much so that they had to force him to the ground and kill him slowly and while he called out for help? Could he really have been resisting anymore at that point? I cried. I died a little on the inside for the depths that mankind as plummeted.

economy. no one wants to pay for my work. they just want to do TFCD/P. The lack of money means its harder to met even the basics of life.

The Arab spring really got me going. I imagined and continue to hope that it indicates a new readiness to see the world in a more open complex way. I'd like to think that might ultimately give israel and her neighbors a new dimension of connection.

I read something the other day, that we've conquered smallpox and now have our sights on malaria. In all the misery that exists for too many people, that kind of hopeful news stands out -- and stands for what we can do when we put our minds to it. Along with effort and money. I'll never understand why we don't do this all the time. So what's the impact? Continuing pessimism leavened with moments of optimism. But that's not really anything new.

The passage of marriage equality in New York - for once I felt like a part of something with a real impact on peoples' lives.

The BP Oil Spill, had an impact on me this year, because it made me realize, that this is the only home we have been given, and it is our responsibility to take car of it.

The tornados in Alabama. They were so close to me and made me realize how fortunate I was to not get hurt.

So much has happened. The protests in Egypt and Libya - when the government tried to stop the spread of revolution by turning off the internet, the people with satellite access could still continue to communicate. It was an interesting turning point in revolution and controlling governments - who would have thought that cell phone technology would help liberate oppressed people? Osama bid Laden caught by the Marines - a victory that brought some degree of closure to the grief of 9/11.

Again, as last year, I'm far too wrapped up in my own head to be impacted by world events. If that makes me a bad person, then so be it.

I feel really stressed out about the state of the American government. the whole debt crisis thing and now the GOP campaign, and the media coverage of it, is like a rock in my gut.

All of the problems happening in the middle east...all though these people and these problems are thousands of miles away, it somehow seems so close to home.

Arab Spring. Peoples who have lived in post-colonial dictatorships for decades rising up to overthrow their oppressors. I was glued to Al Jazeera for news, reading reports and analyses, rushing through teaching to get back to the news. That kind of revolutionary spirit, a revolution toward opening and equalizing and justice, it's buried pretty deep in the American soul. We still long for freedom and justice, but we're not willing to fight for it. And we've sold our soul for consumer goods and Corporatacracy.

The Middle East protests and take downs of government. It is hugely impactful for me because my daughter will know a very different world there as the citizens in these countries rebuild and redefine themselves and their rights. It also prompts me to wonder how democracy will look different in the future for my country.

I'm so locked into my own little pain that I'm not paying attention to the world. I guess I would say the death of newspapers. We are all ruled by innuendo now - there is no watchdog looking out for us. I am much less informed and less literate than I was a year ago.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 impacted me because before this year, I had never really thought in depth about the effects of 9/11. It's kind of sad that there's only this much news coverage 10 years later and not every year.

The passing of the marriage equality bill in NY state this past summer allowed me and Anne to get legally married in NY, with the help of the ladies at A Practical Wedding. At least in NY state, we are now allowed the same rights as straight married couples. Unfortunately there is still much work to be done regarding equality.

I'm not sure there really has been, and that might be an issue!--too far away from Haiti, not really interested in Japan beyond understanding that the radiation isn't going to hurt me here in Singapore...

The debt ceiling crisis or kerfluffle. It showed the world how far America has fallen, we can't even govern ourselves with minor tasks, and as such made me wary of our future. Concurrently it made me more active in my local community.

The different crisis movements around Europe. I believe they are fighting for a better world, yet the outcome in Spain, for instance was exactly the opposite, giving the conservative party a better election. I wish they would see that.

The death of Bin Ladin was one. I felt that maybe there WAS justice after all.

obams's failure to enact/tighten clean air laws. very disappointing from an environmentalist's perspective.

I would have to say the helicopter crash that took those young mens lives..its such a dangerous job, flying in those aircraft..so sad that life has to end so abruptly for some..Don' know what I'd do if I was the parent ..

There have been so many: earthquakes, eruptions, tsunamis, terrorist attacks. What continues to astound me is peoples' insensitivity to others' suffering. At first, everyone rallies around and says the obligatory "tragedy" and "poor people," but pity isn't the same as caring.

Troy Davis was murdered by the state of Georgia just the week before last. It was a stark reminder to those of us that care about social justice that there is not justice for black bodies in the US legal system. This was the same for the sexual assault of a African house keeper in NY by a powerful French politician, while pretty white Casey Anthony got off for killing her child. I am not sure how i will face a lifetime of trying to teach privileged college students that racism is a real thing, that we are not a post-racial society, but it is painful to see how black bodies and black human beings are treated in this world.

The last Space Shuttle was sent up by NASA this year. It ended a 30 year era of space flights and it saddens me that there is no replacement in place to this date and we have not been back to the moon since the Apollo missions. What's the plan O'Bama? Let's go!

The political uprisings in Egypt and Bahrain and Lybia and the grumblings in Syria, etc... I don't know that I ever recognized how extreme the brutality and repression is that so many people live with every day. Our country does not do everything right, but I'm proud to be in American because I enjoy the privilege of respect by my government and countrymen. Sure, we bicker about "rights" all the time, but our fundamental rights remain pretty inalienable.

The housing market, because I want to sell my old house. I have been ready to move on for two years, and now it's looking like I need to hold on two more years to be financially responsible.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 so deeply saddened me. Then I was inspired by the quiet courage of the Japanese people. For me this event highlighted the two faces of humanity - our vulnerability to the power of the earth, and the indomitable spirit of compassion and loving kindness.

The election of Obama has proved to be a complete failure. He is not qualified for the office. We need a REAL leader and president for the country. His policies and lack of leadership has hurt the American economy.

The 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Just realizing how vulnerable anyone in the world can be nowadays is striking. It is also significant how people can come together from a singular event. Each of us individually is stronger and yet we share a common sensitivity as a result of each of the acts from 9/11.

The movements for democratic government in Arab countries (Arab Spring). I wonder how this will impact the future of Israel.

Lots of things happened in the world this year. One of the biggest disasters I've ever seen footage of was the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I saw how brutal mother earth can be, but then it's also a reminder of how we are really just specks sitting on land on borrowed time. The biggest story that continues to amaze me is about the revolutions happening in the middle East with their governments. Will democracy end up on top? Will women finally have some recognition in their society? If anything, I love seeing people revolt when they are not being treated as they should and love seeing people realize the power in numbers that they really have, over oppressive governments.

The various natural disasters. They drove home the reality of climate change.

Oh, it is shocking to think that I can't think of anything. With Pat's illness and death my world has become tiny. I hardly ever listen to the news and don't stray very far from home. It is really shocking to see that it has affected me this way. I have become so insular. I can't even think of a large world event!

The earthquake & tsunami in Japan impacted me. Byron was in Japan, so we were getting first hand reports. The devastation and lingering nuclear effects made me realize how fragile all of life is. The shooting of Osama bin Laden also had an impact. Though realizing what a trial would cause in the realm of terrorism, I hated that Americans celebrated his death in much the same manner that some Muslims celebrated 9/11. It seems that prayer, rather than party, should have been the response.

President Obama ordered the killing of Osama bin Laden in the spring. This week an American drone killed two American-born radical Islamists in Yemen. I've had a lot of thoughts related to these events: First, I'm appreciative that I have grown up in a society where there is relative peace and calm, although it seems throughout human history nasty, brutish and short life has been marked by conflict and fear. On one level, it feels good and safer to have this leader of the terrorist threat against our country eliminated. But I'm uncertain what to think about the moral implications of these events as well as their legality and what that means for our nation. Are we at war? Under the rules of war, is assassination acceptable? Is the state killing someone ever an acceptable outcome to resolve a crime? (In September the Troy Davis execution also brought this question, along with the uncertainty inherent in our judicial process, national attention.) The celebration I saw when bin Laden was killed saddened me deeply. Here we should be mourning the life path of a member of our human family and feel frustration that we had to resort to killing one of our own people because of his choices. Instead of lamenting, we had bloodthirsty celebration. How could it be legal for the United States government to kill an American citizen without a trial, and without even charges being brought? At the same time, Justice Stephen Breyer was on NPR this week talking about how our democracy despite its flaws works because we are invested in it and we follow its mandates. On what authority now that the government is killing Americans without a trial?

The general image of educators in the United States in contrast to the perceptions of them in other countries has made me feel low at times. The fact that the profession of teaching has become almost untrusted by many across the country and the world makes me worry for the future of our species and its growth.

I think Global economic crisis not only affected me, instead everyone in the world ! Because of this I couldn't find a job in UK, that's why I am now in India. Had this crisis won't have happened, I probably would have found a job there and would be living there but may be unhappy !

The mayoral elections in Toronto. Even though I do not live there, I often visit a close friend from there. The mayor is quite anti-transit and the TTC is what makes the city flow. It is the bloodstream of the city. I really hope that the mayor can be stopped. I was also sorry to hear of the death of the opposition candidate who had run for the lead of the country. Jack Layton seemed very warm and genuine. He will be missed.

The earthquake/tsunami in Japan and the resulting damage to the nuclear power plant...I think that we all realized how fragile the 'security' of nuclear power really is, and it was horrifying to think that the Japanese people were yet again experiencing damage due to radiation. Also, we visited a Japanese Friendship Park in Phoenix and were moved to consider the contrast of the beauty of that place compared with the damage in Japan. I was particularly struck by how much you can hate a nation, and war against them, and yet not many years later be sending them money to rebuild.

I think watching all these protests and things have been a little disappointing. I understand that sometimes these things grab answers and to those situations i applaud. But Vancouver failing to take home the cup means that the city gets destroyed is just appalling. The year before was all Canadian Pride and we won the gold medal. I was proud to be Canadian and proud to share my heritage amongst my people. But watching a city crumble and burn at the hands of it's own people brought shame to me. I think it's sad and pathetic.

The continuing mess our, and many world's countries are in economically impacts me, my businesses and the people I love and care about. Continued wars and violence everywhere from my own city to the world in general aches my heart in so many ways. The wild and frightening weather all across the world. Will we continue to wreck havoc on our planet until there is nothing left for generations to come?

Hurricane Irene really impacted me. Seeing my town in VT on the news, and seeing how much my friends up there were going through, really made me appreciate how much we have, and how lucky we were with the storm. Some people down here, even, had no power more than a week later. I am very lucky, that when I don't have a lot of money or resources, my family is there to support me and back me up. The hurricane made me realize how much worse off I could be, despite unemployment and illness.

The financial crisis. It really made me question Obama's ability to handle the global market and deal with the impending downgrade of our financial system - it made me question him as a leader as a whole. I lost an enormous amount of money this year and it ruined my plans to buy an apartment here in NY. After a year of saving, I'm worse off than I was a year ago.

The earthquake in Japan. It made me realize that, even living in an earthquake-safe zone is not relevant to how much an earthquake can devastate a country. Living in California, I am really aware of how frequent earthquakes are, but kind of forgot how powerful and destructive they can be.

The continued downturn of stocks has impacted my hopes of retirement. Guess I"ll be working for a while more.

The flood as a result from Hurricane Irene impacted me. We saw the rushing creek water and its incredible destructive power. In the days and weeks afterwards huge branches and tree limbs still lined the bridge. Many of our neighbors' homes and businesses were devastated. It was a humbling experience and I knew: "There but for the grace of G-d, go I".

I could pretend that it was the Arab spring, or Osama Bin Laden being killed, or even the occupation of wall street. But I would be lying. The truth is, this year has been so difficult on a personal level it is truly the only thing I have thought of. Sure, I worried for people during famine, tsunamis, donated money, yelled at my municipal gov't for cutting basic services, but the biggest event that has occupied my every waking moment this year has been my relationship. It sounds so horribly self-absorbed, but I guess some years are truly about taking stock of your own life. I was not a global citizen this year - rather a mere observer.

The very recent execution of Troy Davis. I am against the death penalty and this is one of the stronger reasons: too often innocent people are put to death. There has never been any indication that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime, and most of the calls for someone to be killed in this way come from people who are either caught up in the emotion of a crime that hit too close to home or who have some ulterior motive. To hear how people were pressured to give false testimony and how there really was no proof that this man was guilty puts the whole justice system under scrutiny. And for such a strong American ideal as that you are considered innocent until proven guilty to be nothing but lip service, should make each of us examine what we think and who we vote for.

There isn't a single event which impacted me this year. I would say that the whole year had a huge effect on me and it is one of the most important ones in my life.

The elections in the ivory coast, and how the UN intervened to ensure a legitimate election took place was something I followed closely.

I honestly think that the revolution in Egypt & the bloody civil war that Libya went through affected me deeply. Being on Tumblr & seeing all the images of disrespect towards the human race, not just citizenship of those people honestly got to me. It was ludicrous how they treated their own people, mind you, I'm not of Middle Eastern descent but it still struck me hard. I pray that all is well soon & they acheive the government that listens & does not become too corrupt, since all governments are a tad corrupt.

The meltdown at the Japanese nuclear plant affected me more than I would have thought it could. At work, we were overwhelmed by the public's concerns, both here in the States and overseas. UCS was the first choice organization for information about the catastrophe. Everything else took a backseat at the office because we needed to respond to the public's and media's questions. The meltdown was thousands of miles away but it hit hard in Boston, too.

The Palestinian bid in the UN has had me looking into both sides of the issue- Israeli and Palestinian. It was truly eye opening.

The shooting and bombing in Norway definitely caught me off guard. That's something that doesn't really happen in Norway. They're such a peaceful group of people that I think it kind of surprised the entire world. But what really struck me was how they dealt with it. The aftermath was so simple and beautiful and everything that the US would never be when dealing with a crisis like that. I was so inspired by how the people of Norway really came together and showed who they really are.

I think there are two that have affected me most--the ongoing financial crisis and the deteriorating situation in Israel. The first affects me most directly because as a professor at a public university, I am seeing first hand everyday how students are struggling to get a degree that on its own, is probably not going to land them a job (at least not without more debt from grad school). It makes me question all the time what the value of the education these kids are mortgaging themselves up to their eyeballs for is worth to them in the long run. These thoughts get cemented by the discussions around me that are stressing "revenue streams" and "monetizing programs" for the university/department to stay afloat...it makes me question what our priorities are and how we stick to the ones that made me want to be a professor in the first place. The second is the flotilla/incursions/ongoing issues in Israel that continue to further isolate the country from not only its neighbors, but from the "polite society" of Western countries who increasingly criticize/cast off Israel to the point that the (very dangerous) mentality of the Israelis seems to be that they are damned if they do or if they don't, so they might as well do--regardless of what it takes to defend themselves. This year has been difficult for me because emotionally I am very tied to and invested in Israel's continued success, though I am sometimes queasy about what the costs of that "success" might be for the brave people who live there and defend it for us all.

This year we suffered from earthquakes, oil spills, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other devastations. I realized just how lucky we are in the area I live in not to have suffered by that much. I feel very protected because I live in such a safe area and am grateful for that.

It's not an event exactly, but the rise of the Tea Party has impacted me because it seems a new peak example of how human irrationality can carry the day -- an argument can be insipid, childish, and without any basis in fact, but if it's repeated frequently enough it takes on the gloss of Truth, and can then be bandied about in the defense of anything, however asinine. This has always been true, of course, but seeing it develop from its embryonic form, in an era where the 'facts' can be disconfirmed with a moment's googling, is especially disheartening, and has led to my re-evaluation of the prospects for the United States in particular, and humanity in general.

I have family in Israel, so any attacks or any change in power in the Middle East are scary.

I happened to be visiting a friend at a southern Kibbutz during August, at a time when the rocket attacks intensified. I had never been in an area where air raid sirens went off so frequently. It frightened me tremendously. There was no shelter close by (at least none that my friend wanted to run to), and at the same time, my friend did not have much confidence in the ability of her home to withstand a direct hit. The sound of the air raid siren and the silent countdown of seconds until hearing the rocket land are things I will remember forever. It gave me renewed appreciation for the courage of the Israelis who continue with their daily lives in spite of the attacks.

The tsunami and earthquake in Japan really affected me a lot. Seeing such a high-tech country being brought to its knees by nature really made me think about how much of modern culture can quickly and easily be washed away. Seeing how quickly other countries shut down their nuclear power stations was also pretty shocking... it seemed that most rational countries stopped thinking of prevention and just got rid of one of the, potentially, best ways of making energy in the world. Too much tragedy happened all at once, and I hope that the decisions made because of it won't have an equally negative impact on future generations.

2 things: 1) The hateful growth of the Tea Party. Growing ascism in action. Hateful people. Their laughing out loud and applauding when Ron Paul, in a Republican debate, said he would let a man die who got sick after not having health insurance. 2) the growth of a new MOVEMENT of the 99 percent, and the refusal of media to cover it widely. This is a movement of the 99 percent of America who are sick & tired of merely existing while the rich politicians, bankers, doctors & insurance CEOs do nothing to create jobs and making living in America more tolerable. It will be interesting to see how it develops into other cities. Personally I hope it grow until media can no longer ignore it. People will suffer, but we are already suffering. Congressman from Louisiana stating his $600,000/year income is used up with 200,000 to "feed his family" and then they have to live off the rest. OUT OF TOUCH WITH CONSTITUENTS JUST A TAD!!

The earthquake in Japan was almost very devastating for me. Satoshi Yagisawa had written and dedicated a piece to the Hofstra University Symphonic Band and the earthquake hit Japan about a week or two before he was supposed to come and listen to our rehearsal. We didn't know for a few days whether or not he was alive. We found out he was alive and unharmed, and when he did arrive, the experience of him being there and giving us tips and then conducting through the piece was all the more special. I will never forget it.

The 10 year anniversary of 911 brought back a lot of memories of fear and uncertainty. Because my children were very young when it happened, I was careful not to watch any coverage of it on television around them, which meant I saw very little at all. I just read about it in the newspaper, and waited to hear from friends and family in New York that they were safe. (They were.) So the anniversary, with its heavy news coverage, was the first time I had seen a lot of video about 911.

The end of Harry Potter. I found it really hard to have to say 'goodbye' to my childhood. Those books and films have been with me through an awful lot. The characters in those books were my friends when I had none, the teachers were there to offer guidance when I needed it and others were there to offer support and comfort when I found myself lost. I'll always love these books and films and although I am saddened by their ending, I know that they will always be there for me.

As a Jew I haven't always been aware of the events in and around Israel, but this past year I have been more mindful of them and how they impact me and my our local communitiy and the Jewish community as a whole here in the US.

Oh, wow. The earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The loss of people - the impact to a great nation - hearing about the hardships - its my favorite country even though I've never been there. The production of goods and cars has impacted our business also and we're losing money trying to keep up sales, service and our people employed. I'm hoping that as much as possible can be restored.

The combined earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant should have been a wake up to the world and wasn't. Homo sapiens create enough power to ruin our own habitat and still don't know or apparently care to know, how to control it. Even with the skill of language and records, we are as short sighted as ever. As a family, we tried to keep an eye on the fall out destined for the Olympic Peninsula - the new home we thought would be safe.

The legalization of gay marriage in New York City had a big impact in my life. It gave me hope that I will be able to get married in my own state one day, and that we are on the way to getting equal rights. While I know that the process will be long, I have faith that someday the issue of marriage will not need to be discussed, and anyone who chooses to get married will have the ability to do so. It can only get better!

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan impacted me to a surprising degree this year. Like 9/11, I realized that as I watched the pictures on tv, people were actually trying desperately to escape the waters and people were dying. Watching and reading about the nuclear reactors that were dangerously damaged had a huge effect on my complacency concerning the building of nuclear reactors "in my back yard".

Tuition fees in England went up. I've applied for deferred entry and I'm doing medicine so I'll be paying 9 grand a year for 5 years. this isn't affecting me now but in about 50 years when i'm still up to my ears in debt, i'm pretty sure i'll be feeling the effects.

The death of Osama bin Laden -- because ultimately the focus of so much hatred and war, when he died, was proven not to matter. He had been a pretext for those in the U.S. government who wanted to go to war. Those who found closure in his death were those who believed that he had been the cause of so much death and destruction. Yet it has not ceased, nor is it likely to anytime soon.

The natural disasters that struck Japan this year really affected me, especially the way the Japanese reacted as a culture - so calm and completely opposite of the way Americans react. They gave a new lens in which to view tragedy, coping and recovery. I also became very intrigued by Japanese poetry.

It would have to be the nuclear accident in Japan. I watched in utter horror as a city was poisoned. I had a friend whose wife and child were living nearby. To read his Facebook posts as he agonized over them was unbearable. Fortunately, they evacuated safely and show no ill effects. It made me realize that we are connected in a very intimate way across the globe.

The weather, planetary changes and economic upheavals should be my answer. Strangely I feel the loss of belief in my own and other governments is the worst. Should I live my life believing every organization is after it's own needs and none of them care about me except as a pawn? At 57 is my childhood over? Was it always true?

The social justice protests in Israel summer 2011. I feel like the nation has awakened and is finally back on the right track. I hope this will carry over to peace, as well.

When Marriage Equality was passed in NY State I was filled with happiness for the next generation of Gay people who will grow up with an extraordinary right that my generation did not have the opportunity to experience. It also gave me some fixed feelings. As a gay man and father of two adopted children, I have been in a committed relationship for 16 years. We have had to do the hard work of staying together for all this time without the benefit of vowing our commitment to our community of friends and family and I wonder what the benefit is to us now in getting married. Of course there are the obvious inheritance tax breaks and state recognition etc, but I wonder if that's reason enough to get married. And frankly, I feel some resentment that it has taken so long and I'm really trying to examine if the resentment itself is fueling my reluctance.

So, this might not be the event that has impacted me the most, but I am choosing to reflect on something positive since my immediate reaction to this question is always to think about everything that upsets me in the world. Last October I attended the Rally to Restore Sanity in DC. I had no idea what to expect, but I was worried that, especially because it was on Halloween, it would be full of drunk people acting ridiculous and giving liberalism a bad name. But I was so, SO pleasantly surprised. First, at how many people were there, of all ages and backgrounds. Second, at how respectful everyone was. Third, how everyone just sort of "got it". The signs people made were witty, self-mocking; some just silly and others more substantive... but all perfectly appropriate. I was so far away from the stage and jumbotrons that I didn't know much of what was going on in the scripted show (except for Jon Stewart's amazing keynote speech), but just being part of this moment was so uplifting and energizing and soothing. Hundreds of thousands of smart, compassionate, rational people... and those were just the ones who were able to make it to DC. It made me realize that just because others are noisier, more dramatic, they are not necessarily the majority and they do not define this country.

The economic crisis. It's difficult to find a full time job, especially for an older employee. Hopefully, this will change in the near future. Let's hope by next year, I'll be writing happier things!

The famine in Somalia, I can't bear to think about it. I feel helpless and guilty. And it seems life is so cheap. And we, my family and the people I know without meaning to waste a lot.

Not just one event, but the ongoing fear and joblessness, and the egregious lack of concerned healthcare, has people thinking that creating thoughtful beauty--what I do best-- is a luxury, or everyone wants it for free. Celebration feeds us.

Weather and seismic events around the world have made me aware once again how fragile life on earth is and how very little control we do have, though we vainly try to imagine we are always in control. The town where my mother was born, Joplin, Missouri, was almost completely wiped off the map by tornadoes. In minutes, the entire town was a pile of sticks: trees twisted and broken, substantial buildings flattened, and many people and animals dead or injured. In Japan, the earthquakes and Tsunamis wiped out towns and people equally completely and quickly. There was added danger to the entire world because of the nuclear power plant meltdowns. The earth is not a safe place to live, but it is all we have. We need to live every day as fully as we are able because you just don't know if there will be a next one.

well the poverty level of the united states has shot up into the 16-20 percentile. this is because the economy has been so bad and people aren't able to find jobs. i have cut back on my spending and only buy things that i really need. i mean once in a while ill have to go buy some snacks for very specific reasons, other than that i keep it minimal.

The tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan actually caused a rift between my dad and I, in a roundabout and unexpected way. Via facebook, even—which may make this seem trivial. But basically, I learned my dad is a racist. I was very moved by the stories coming out of Japan. Particularly, the brave folks that stayed behind to help cool the nuclear reactor, despite the obvious consequences. I made a post about it on facebook, and suddenly my dad retorted with an argument about how the Japanese people are not ones to put upon a pedestal; that I shouldn't forget Pearl Harbor and I should focus on American heroes. I was shocked, bewildered, and extremely embarrassed by his ignorant point of view. We continued to argue about it, yet his stubborn blindness also continued to floor me. Granted, I don't know my dad all that well. But now, I'm not sure I want to. I have never looked at him the same way again. I think the older I get, the less forgiving I am of ignorance. I expect more out of people, because I expect a lot from myself. It's fine to choose how you want to believe and perceive the world; I don't aim to control others thoughts, but celebrate them. Yet at the same time, I've realized quickly the types of people I respect and the ones I don't. The ones I don't—they don't get much of my time or energy. Sorry, dad.

no events. i have been living in a parochial world of relationship drama; too myopic to realize the whole world operating outside of my own. i no longer want to be engulfted in interior drama; give me a higher purpose to spread my wings upon!

The hurricane that happened a few months ago really affected me to see that natural disasters do bring tragedy, even to the wealthiest areas.

A world event that has impacted me are all the natural disasters that have left tens of thousands of people homeless and destitute. You just wonder why this people came into this life volunteering to go through so much devastation. I know spiritually that they did this to help evolve their souls and because I am such a sensitive being have to remember that so that I do not become depressed by all of this.

The tsunami in japan....it affected my friends with their new babies, my work friends, my work environment. It also really made me realize, yet again, how fragile we call can be, and how lucky i am in my life. Lucky with my friends, my family, my lifestyle, my work, my life.....and it made me even more aware of the butterfly effect....and how i impact my own life and the lives of others....

Tigers and Lions are winning. All kidding aside. It helps me realize that you can turn your life around if you build it correctly and have the patience to nurture.

Day 4 World event that has had impact? I am still upset by the way the Congressional Republicans block everything, even if their constituents don't agree. It's interesting that in many polls, the approval rating for Congress in in the teens! All this posturing and obstruction makes me so irritated actually, I detect anger in my body. I guess I surpress this anger and as I write this I realize that's definitely a negative for my. Maybe that's the source of my stress, rather than the moving. mm, I thought it was the upheaval from 2209, but actually, I have that pretty much in balance. The options are good. So what am I to do about my irritation about politics? Usually, I think that I need to be part of the solution, but in this case, I think that would be even more stressful because I really don't believe I can make a difference. It's like II felt when working at Alta Bates. I had to quit. But I can't quit unless I move out of the country. This is a major dilemma. What does one do when one can't change the way things are. Breathe? Maybe.

Unfortunately there are so many...how come only the negative ones come to mind immediately though? Is it the possible double dip recession? The killing of Bin Laden? The revolutions taking place across the middle east? I'll go with the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I realized that event had a greater impact on me than I had realized. I couldn't even watch the tv programming, or read anything about it. The images made me sick to my stomach. I just can't help but wonder why we take our anger out on each other when we are all in the same boat. Of course some people have things worse than others but I believe that all to be relative. We're all innocent. Aren't we?

This didn't directly affect me, but the passing of same sex marriage in New York set a precedent for the future that makes me really happy. Everyone deserves to be happy with the one they love, regardless of anything.

Delinquency and Corruption All over the world delinquency seems to go hand on hand with corruption. This problem is affecting all spheres of human conviviality, and world economy.

I guess it's the economy that has continued to impact me. Last year I was laid off -- and while this year I am still at my job, my hours have been cut. I work either 3 or 4 days a week. I can't cut it at 3. I've been trying to spend less and look for some part time projects -- or a new job. But it's tough. I'm not completely happy with where I am professionally -- and economically. On a happier (and lighter) note -- the Giants winning the world series and being the world champions has had a very joyous impact on me this year.

All the bombings in Israel really hit home for me. Israel is my homeland, in fact, it is the homeland of all Jewish people. I was there less than a month before the most recent bombings and that is scary. I intend to go back for six weeks this coming summer. It kills me to see the most beautiful place in the world, my home, under attack, when they don't deserve it.

The Hurricane that hit NY and the east coast because I have so many friends and family there that I felt the fear and impact more than ever. I haven't recovered from the devastation of Katrina...the tv coverage haunts me still...I have a hard time with human suffering.

The Royal Wedding made me examine my Britishness more than I have in a long time. I felt immense pride at people's reactions to something innately British. When the crowd -- what sounded like the whole of London -- sang Jerusalem, I cried.

I felt connected to the Arab Spring. Set afire by the revolutionaries' passion and excited by the possibilities this kind of regime change offered the world. It still feels as though little has changed. Gas prices went up and stayed up, though. I can't help but wonder if it isn't the American companies using current events as an excuse to hike prices and not the exciting happenings abroad as they claim.

The global financial problem, which I am intentionally not calling it a crisis just yet, has shaken my confidence in our financial future. While my retirement horizon remains far away, my daughter Kiley will be starting college in less than four years, so investing for her education has become more complex. My inclination is to de-emphasize equities, since the global financial problem -- which is exacerbated by the partisan gridlock in Washington -- is threatening to weigh down markets for years to come.

The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It doesn't immediately affect me, but it does affect my peeps and our community as a whole. Personally, I'm with Alix Olson, a lesbian spoken word artist, who said, "I don’t wanna be in your military, I don’t wanna bury my own kind... anyway, I’d give the U.S. a bad rap, I’d kiss every fine Iraqi dyke on the front line, fuck national pride, I’d go to their side-- I prefer crossnational desire to crossfire anyway. But that's just me. If my bros and sisters want to fight in the American military, they should be able to serve openly... and the U.S. should be damn proud to have them.

All of the earthquakes that have taken place - japan, new zealand. i think mother nature of someone (god?) is trying to tell us something - are we ruining our planet?

Hurricane Irene. Slutwalk. Afghanistan. Iraq. Somali pirates. Osama Bin Laden's capture. The 10th anniversary of 9/11. The floods in Australia. They all made me realize how sheltered the US is and how that is alternatively, a good and bad thing.

Economics, plastics in the ocean, littering, discrimination and racism, poverty, queer rights not granted, cruel immigration practices,politics and events in the middle east...... how could all that is going on in the world not have an impact?

Bin Laden's execution and the reaction afterward. I don't think a death is something to be celebrated-- no matter who it is. The initial reactions did feel celebratory, but as the week went on, I was surprised how many people vocalized what I was feeling-- that we do not cheer when someone is killed.

The tsunami in Japan made me realize how fragile the world really is.

It has to be either the earthquake in Haiti or the civil war in Libya. Both were beautiful examples of people working together, both were great examples of how the world can be an evil place and both taught me that people are so strong and recover from anything.

The further crash of the economy has been tough. From a personal perspective because we are a generation without a future. Its then also difficult to see things just get harder foe those who already had it hard.

No one event effects as much as witnessing the domino effect of all the devastating events happening to the world at large. Ice caps melting, polar bears drowning or starving, grizzly bears and wild horses being shot because there are not enough wild foraging areas left for them. The socialist system of welfare that our country has created that entices aliens to enter the country illegally only to open season on them as well. The obsession with $$ and celebrities which keep people distracted from what is really happening to other human beings, the earth itself and the animals of the world; domestic and wild. Now that Haiti, Japan, the Gulf of Mexico and Thailand are no longer front page what's happening there? Why are women still being raped in Africa as part of warfare, children prostituted in many countries ? How do these events impact me? They horrify me. Why? Because I can only make a small dent in it. I am living in a world were no one cares. They would rather give millions to a football player, a movie star or a lawyer.

The United States killed Osama Bin Laden. People danced in the streets. I understood the emotions, but wished cooler heads prevailed. This event confirmed for me that operations and humanitarian law holds some of the most important and cutting edge legal questions of our time. The traditional framework just seems less and less fit for the times.

I don't know if one event in particular stuck out for me in the last year but rather I will look back on it as a year in which so many significant events happened around the world. You could almost feel a shift, a quickening of pace, a fragility of how quickly things can fall apart, how connected we are as a world and how things can happen anywhere. I feel like the most important thing I learned over this year is that we can not sit around in complacency, instead we must constantly be thinking of how to make this world better, noticing issues and striving to improve our systems and implement sustainable solutions. Problems are not confined to specific types of countries or regions of the world, tragedy can strike anywhere. We saw an Arab spring and realized we need to pay attention to growing dissent and satisfaction with the way things are working. We can't ignore a growing youth population who need solutions. We saw riots break out in London. We saw student protests take over the city of Santiago, Chile. We saw Japan be devastated by an earthquake and tsunami. We saw New York City threatened by a hurricane. The list goes on and on ...

The worldwide economic crisis. Lost my job. Watched our equity evaporate. Watched our savings dwindle away. Funny, I accidently typed "swindle" away. It sure seems like we've been swindled.

I've been fortunate: I haven't been directly impacted by anything, not even Hurricane Irene (or tropical storm Irene) which blew through here and swamped the local elder community trailer park (but left our house unscathed.) But I've been emotionally impacted on a local scale by that storm, and by the realization that those who have the least, in my community, are those who were hardest hit by the storm. On a more global scale, I've been emotionally impacted by the Arab Spring: watching that unfold, the protests, Christian Egyptians protecting Muslim Egyptians in prayer, Tahrir Square reports on Twitter and in the part of the blogosphere where I spend my time. It's incredibly powerful to watch so many people taking control of their destiny and asserting their rights to a life free of police brutality, with greater economic opportunity, with greater freedom.

Fukushima has caused me to worry. If the Japanese can't build a nuclear reactor, and clean up their mess, who can?

The repeal of don't ask, don't tell was really big for me and my husband. He is active duty and we were both so frustrated that this law was causing so much pain to so many people. The day it got repealed and the day it went into effect we both very happy days in our house. I think both those days we both felt like we were getting a little closer to 'liberty and justice for all.'

I actually listened to the election in Canada for once. I know that I cannot vote but for some reason, it made me really interested. I think I've now formed an educated opinion and have a strong stance on my side.

unemployment. so many people i know are having major financial problems and struggling just to survive.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan had a huge impact on me. Living in CA there seems to always be the threat of an earthquake, and the tsunami that might follow. It shows how quickly and unpredictably live can change.

It was the 10th annual anniversary for 9/11. There was the Haiti Earthquake There was the Japan Earthquake Osama Bin Laden was found I feel like these events have brought me a better knowledge of the world around me. Now I actually pay attention to the news

The tornadoes in Alabama, Missouri, even in my home state of NC, followed by hurricane Irene that again devastated parts of NC's coast and the Northeast. The pain of so many people losing homes and major disruption in their lives at the same time so many people are struggling to make ends meet in a terrible economy is almost too much to bear. The refusal on the part of republicans to bring equity to the tax burden only makes the hope for my country's future seems grim indeed.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11. Since I was only 5 when 9/11 occurred, I felt the fear, but never the emotions that came along with it. At this 10th anniversary I watched all the coverage and really felt the emotions that I never had a chance to encounter all those years ago.

The earthquake in Japan. I have an old friend who lives in Tokyo. I hadn't thought of her in years. Following the quake we got back in touch with each other. She and her family were fine. I got an email yesterday that she's coming to town in a few weeks. Amazing.

The Tsunami from the Japanese earthquake. Mike was in Santa Cruz when it hit over here and it was mindboggling to be a first hand witness. People were so concerned about our boat and I was overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness. I was also humbled. We were lucky; we only lost a boat and were paid out generously by our insurance. It could have been our home, like the muskrats that live in the marina, or worse, everything like the people in Japan.

The Oil Spill. It happened shortly before I went to New Orleans, and inspired me to try some amazing gulf coast seafood. But more importantly, discussing the issue and related issues with my high school journalism class was one of the best things I've done as a teacher. My students were able to connect to an issue taking place far from our school and analyze different aspects of it in a way I had never seen, which in turn influenced me as a teacher further.

Watching Egypt change their country without a war was captivating. Knowing that we can change how we treat each other *without* a war that kills, maims and destroys feels like the heaven on earth I dream of.

The death of Amy Winehouse. I have problems with eating, too and I won my fight against my substance abuse this year. Her death showed that life is so close to death and that life is worth fighting for.

The Sept 11th tenth anniversary. I was impacted by how that made me upset about the wars in the Middle East. I hope there is an end in sight next year.

This event didn't happen this year but tge earthquake in Haiti impacted my life. I am Haitian and I had a cousin that passed due to the earthquake. We never recovered her body :(

The riots in London shook my confidence in the importance we ascribe to modernity -- in a city that I know so well, a city with so much easy diversity, how did a flame suddenly turn into such a huge fire?

the social revolutions in spain and egypt. it has set off a domino effect in Israel, the US and elsewhere. People are rising against the unfair, unjust and unequal distribution of wealth.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan had a large impact since the images of devastation were broadcast almost in real time. It was horrifying to see pictures of that awful wave ready to gobble up pristine forest and homes. I stared, amazed, seeing boats dashed against bridge abutments. Along those lines, the flooding that took place in my area due to Hurricane Irene gave me flashbacks. I have survivor guilt since we only had a 6 hour blackout when so many lost so much. It makes me feel unworthy to complain about anything. Yet that, too, is unfair. Don't I still have a right to complain about anything? Do I have to feel grateful all the time?

Everything impacts me. There seems to be too much for me to cope with any longer. The world seems such a desperate and suffering place. The Dalai Lama's event 'Kalachakra For World Peace' made a big impact on me. It was his ?76th birthday, and there were a lot of Tibetans there. He had just stepped down from being the head of state and actually said he didn't think Tibet need it's independence- just to be treated better. He said he didn't need to be hypocritical now. That may not have been world news, but it made a big impact on me. Stop fighting over who owns what where and be compassionate to each other.

The Egyption revolution - it was so inspiring to see the masses revolt in a peaceful way. To observe the government not use violence due to the world witnessing the event via social media technology. How technology was used as a positive way to join masses in a unified mission. The success of the people to overthrown a government that they didn't trust or have faith in. It reinforced my own faith that peaceful and successful change is possible and can be accomplished when you maintain your course and stand up for what you believe in...even when faced with extremely challenging odds.

I was deeply shaken and saddened by the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia. So many reasons to doubt his guilt. It made me sick at the lack of justice. I am also disgusted by the control the rich minority has over governance, and the tax inequities we have.

The end of DADT. It has given me hope that the arc of the universe really is bending towards justice.

US Congress Debt Ceiling fiasco. As a retired individual it has impacted my retirement funds and forced me to rethink lifestyle. More importantly, it has shown me how narrow the members of Congress are when it comes to "We the People". There election is not a mandate for them to bring the US to a standstill it is their duty to tend to the universality of the common people. Evangelical or for that matter any fundametalist religious tract for change is a frightening thought. I believe that the main reason for the divide between Republican and Democrats is racisism shich spells trouble for all minority groups of all colors and ethnicities.

The "Arab Spring" has been an incredible event. While I find the term objectionable and racist, the events in the Middle East have been empowering to the people living there. I can only hope and pray that as they develop, Israel is able to remain secure. Who in the world would have possibly thought that a madman in Libya would be on is heals? While uncertainty will prevail for many years in some areas…we can have hope for new freedom for many people. Why does this impact me? I use hope as a lesson with my students. If they can see those in far away places, who should have NO hope, finding it then they had better grasp it and run!

debt crisis and inefficiency of governments in general

The global financial crisis- it made me lose a lot of faith in politicians and has made me even angrier towards the government. I think a true upheaval will have to occur, and I think the Us and other countries are bound for a major downfall and shift of powers,

The financial crisis. It is so multi-layered, overly confusing and difficult for anyone to unwind. This worries me because when things reach that point - they break. It will take so much goodwill and concern for others to find the way forward out of this quagmire without a war. I wonder if us educated, informed and fortunate 21st century people are up to the challenge.

I began seeing a woman who is actually sane. She has helped me a great deal during my unemployment.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I couldn't believe that kind of destruction could happen in a country so advanced. Reading the stories of the orphaned kids, or the parents whose babies had been swept from their arms, just about killed me.

Gay marriage becoming legal in New York was a huge event for me. I wish I could have been in the city when it happened and not sitting at my kitchen table in the suburbs, but even so I could feel the impact made on my friends and on my state. I am proud to say I am from a state that acknowledges love as love and that everyone has the right to be married. I hope our state encourages others to bring acceptance to this country and remember what love is really about.

The Springfield, Massachusetts tornado turned my life upside down. After 5 days with no power and living through the fog of fear that night, hoping we weren't hit, it changed my outlook on nature. I respect it a lot more.

Demi Lovato going into treatment has affected me more than anything else this you. It made me realize that it's okay to get help. You won't be looked down upon. The people who matter will still love you and you will be happier than you've ever been if you get the help I need. Demi getting help finally made me realize that I deserve better and I deserve to be happy. Even though I said this last year, I hope next year this time I'll be happy and healthy.

The various freedom protest movements (Egypt, etc.) in other countries--and our own NYC Wall Street protest. As an activist in the 1960s, I'm heartened that people are taking to the streets again, walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

I wish I were a better citizen of the world... the only things that are coming to mind are the natural disasters that struck near places I care about. Most recently, Hurricane Irene came up the East Coast and did, really, minimal damage as far as it affected my family in CT and NJ. We lost our two locust trees, which were a gift from mom, and which we loved. Earlier in the year, tornados in the southeast hit Madison County, AL, where my company's headquarters are... but no one I know was hurt or experienced major damage. We all learned how much we take electricity for granted, since both events were accompanied by extended outages. But aside from thinking I should pay more attention to the world outside my little network of bubbles, perhaps I should also be thankful that for all that happens, I've been personally unharmed. And then maybe I ought to think about what I can do for those who weren't so lucky.

All of the protests in the Midde East- Egypt, Libya, etc. were inspiring. To think that social media has allowed people to band together and accomplish something that our parent's generation couldn't is amazing. It's the civil rights marches of our era.

The death of Wangari Maathai this week reminded me of how much we in the United States take for granted our rights to work for the environment, vote to make changes, educate our children regardless of status and income -- and so many more. She suffered for planting trees! Children in Kenya cannot go to school unless they can afford the uniforms. I contribute to organizations that help developing countries -- my commitment is renewed in reflecting on how much more needs to be done.

The global economy. This year I had closed my business, the lack of income had changed my living situation to seek a house mate. The homeowner never informed me the house was in foreclosure up until the last weeks of moving out. The lack of cash flow had limited my contact with friends, I was unable to take the trips I wanted and now working in a job I'm over qualified for.

The recent bus attack in Eilat, Israel. I was in the same area on a bus just 10 days before that so it really hit home. Additionally, the rocket attacks that came a day or two later were landing close to a relative's home where I had stayed the week before.

The series of rvolutions called the Arab Spring seems to me as surprising and hopeful as the fall of the Berlin Wall and of the communist regimes was in 1989, something my father said he never expected to see in his lifetime. Or the fall of the apartheid regome in South Africa. But more filled withworry, because of the infection of a radical, vicious and backward facing Islamist fundamentalism that may be the strongest and most satbilizing force if moderates fail. More virulent because the Sat, Oct 1, 2011 socialist dreams that once gave young people a motive and a movement are mostly bankrupt and what the West offers, at its most benign, is a philoshy of individualism that can seem impractical in terms of making daily life meaningful and too easily slip into consumerism for those who have more than two nickels to rub together. It is awesome, the sight of so much misery and hope. For me, it is revelatory, as people from Tunis to Damascus speak of hope and risk their lives to challenge a regime, how utterly repressive it was and how many compromises are needed to live in a stagnant or worse economy , where the mechhanisms for allocating favor and opportunity are so corrupt or based on family; how pretige is an universal motivator and how centuries of only scattered colllective action or democracy in any form leaves so little in the way of reforming and managing society. And I fear for Israel.I see ina different way how its political society (not the individuas you meet and talk to) is boowed and stressed by internal and external forces, similar to and different from its neighbors. It too is a new democracy. Didn't the USA stress and strain with a corrupt bargain from 1789 and a series of fractiious debates and compromises to a bloody civil war 70 years later? Hoe many disasters did french self-government endure from 1789 to 1960? But those were terrible and not to be wished on anyone and do not necessarily bespeak progress, but yet theydo, sometimes. There is a lot in motion in timelines and ways that go beyond what I will see. I can only be alert, talk, debate, and hope and pray like ata birth of a child, that it will be healthy and live long.

I think the economic meltdown and the ensuing debate has effective me the most. There are a lot of people suffering do to gross incompetence and/or selfishness by leaders of this country. I work in an economically disadvantage community. The majority of people are just trying to have a decent life, educate their children the best they can against enormous odds. Then the economic downturn comes along with the circus acts by our leaders. We can barely help ourselves how do we intend to help the rest of the world.

The world event that has most impacted me this year has been the Arab Spring. When I was backpacking after Taglit-Birthright in Israel, and then through Jordan, I made my way into Egypt right as the revolution was starting. Without internet, cellphones, ATMs, or gasoline, I was stranded; luckily, I didn't make it all the way to Cairo and found myself in a SCUBA diving paradise of the Sinai: Dahab. As I continued to push forward through the great nation of Egypt, I "found" my resilience and perseverance amidst a country unifying under democracy.

There is so much destruction and suffering in the world, that I avoid watching any catastrophic events. Even with positive outcomes, when people come together to help others, the fact remains that too many people on earth do not have basic human rights, access to food and medical care in overall there are too many acts of violence including wars. Our media focuses on the most negative and sensationalistic versions of all things, whether positive or negative. Overall, I try not to let world events make an impact on my life. And the way I am involved in the world is on a local, community level.

Not sure what day but I read the fiction novel Wait Until Midnight by Amanda Quick. In the book, the heroine is writing a serial novel. A chapter is printed in the newspaper each week. And she's loving it. Having fun. I thought, when is the last time writing was truly fun? So I decided to do the modern equivalent. I wrote a novel in installments and posted an installment on my blog each week. It was challenging and FUN.

Oh god, all of it. Mubarak's resignation. The earthquake in Japan. The death of Osama bin Laden. The 10th anniversary of 9/11. Anything that causes pain and distress to others affects me very deeply

Well - all of the teen suicides because of anti-gay bullying have really gotten me wanting to do more to let gay/questioning youth that it really does get better. The "It Gets Better" project started this year and became a HUGE deal. It's so sad to me that lives are being lost because people can't deal with people being different than they are. So much tragedy and loss over something so trivial.

Japan's earthquake was an incredible event. Because even if the whole day was a tragedy, Japan stood up and show to the world what happens when a country have a security's culture.

The world politics trouble me some. I'm afraid America has become ungovernable. There are too many different points of view. Not enough people are willing to compromise. I can't think of a single event that's impacted me but the culmination of politics and the governmental policies which don't encourage the average person to achieve or succeed. I think the human race is bringing itself closer and closer to the end than the beginning. Which makes me thankful I have D to keep me company and protect me as it does. All of this sounds very fatalistic. huh?

The hikers coming back from two years imprisonment in Iran. I was moved by how they have been in a situation where they were kept as prisoners and they have spoken out about how our own country has been cruel to prisoners, how they feel a kinship with people who are still behind bars unjustly. At first I thought, "Stockholm Syndrome!" but then I realized how these people kept their eyes and minds open to the plight of everyone, including their captors' brothers and sisters who the US unjustly detains, and that they are correct.

I honestly don't pay attention to the media but the crisis in Japan really worried me because I had a friend out there.

The earthquake in Japan weighed greatly on my mind. I was still awake when it hit and I remember watching the destruction, by water and fire, and thinking this would go on for days. The after effects, the bodies, the damage. It also showed me fully the effect media has on us. The Midwest media where my parents live was reporting an expected Tsunami on the West Coast that led them to believe my future was doomed. My phone rang at 3 a.m. local time and I answered to the sound of my mom hysterically crying, leading me to believe someone was dead and instead she insisted I wake up and watch the news and prepare for Armageddon. In truth, In LA, those waves were prime for surfing, but she was scared to death that her child was thousands of miles away facing disaster. I felt awful for her. The impact of the lives and culture lost in Japan stays with me to this day. The media has since forgotten it, but I wonder what's happening, not on a national or regional level but in individuals lives who lost everything, memories, homes, loved ones, pets. How are they? Where are they? Will they ever be able to live normally again? Has that sense of international community abandoned them? I hope not.

I have closely followed the Arab Spring and all the popular uprisings around the world, including the current Occupy Wall Street and also opposition to the tar sands pipeline. I come from a long line of progressives and activists going back to the British working class in London, England so it's awesome for me to see people carrying on the struggle - citizens with the moral integrity, intelligence and passion to take a stand and demand an end to injustice, oppression and environmental degradation - often at great personal risk. In two weeks I'm going to New York City to participate in Occupy Wall Street.

The Palestinian political and social aggression against Israel has been a reminder how important it is to get your message out, because people don't automatically understand or want to believe facts unless you package it in a way that they are willing to accept and persistently communicate them.

My trip to Israel impacted me immensely. I now take pride in everything Israel related, i'm a zionist and i plan on taking part in the צהל. I fell in love with the country.

It seems that I must lead a very insular American life, since I can't recall any world events that have affected my life in any significant way. (I suppose that world events do affect what I pay at the gas pump, but that also seems pretty shallow). One thing that gave me a chill, however, was listening to the report of the killing of Bin Laden. When I heard that the Navy Seal who pulled the trigger then radioed in the kill, using the phrase "for God and country", I couldn't help wondering if the terrorist pilots on 9/11 said something similar before hitting their targets.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I had a friend in college who was from Japan and she lived in Tokyo when the disaster happened. I was very worried for her, and her family that lives in Sendai. I was able to contact her on Facebook and find out she was okay, but I feel bad that there's not much I can do for her from here. I bought a T-shirt from another FB friend that was sending the proceeds to a charity to help with the disaster relief, but it didn't feel like enough.

I'm struggling to pinpoint an event--the assassination of Bin Laden and the world's reaction, the droughts and other natural disasters around the globe, the international financial crisis--but I feel cut off from what all that means. In my own world, where I rely on tweets and posts for news, I've become poor, meaning I'm broke. In debt. I'm strangely glad, in a way. If the stress of trying to make ends meet weren't so gray-hair-inducing/cancer-causing, I might even embrace it. I feel the pain of a world that's been overdoing it for years. I relied on credit and then it dried up. I didn't reach any of my financial goals, but I kept spending. My bubble has burst, and yet I'm surrounded by people in bubbles who don't have a clue what it would be like. It's like: the way most people live, paycheck to paycheck. I am in a tight squeeze, absolute spending freeze, but I've got to be sincere about this--I'm not missing out on a thing. My standard of living is still top of the heap, and I haven't suffered any debilitating losses. I've been able to hang on to my house, so far, thanks to the generosity of a wealthy sister, and my health is good. I'm still me, but less spendy. (And to be honest, I'm frugal. Been stretching a chunk of money for years while choosing not to work. What vanity, huh?) As someone with minimal disposable income, I'm in very good company. I have to consider the price of gas before I get in the car--is this trip worth the cost? It's a good way to live, maybe. I'm no longer doing/spending blindly. Hence, perhaps, I'm doing more living? I recommend it only to the extent that you have a cushy savings for emergencies, but do try it, even if it means setting aside most of what's extra. Is it for a rainy day? A project? An emergency? A charity? (Don't spend that, too, like I did.) ~ Ugly American who's had to reign in spending and smell the air

I was really shaken up by the riots in London this summer. To see television pictures of neighbourhoods I know, just down the road from where I lived until earlier this year, looted and smashed and set alight, was profoundly disturbing and horrifying. I had a very strong emotional reaction to it all - I felt extremely angry and frightened and questioned my faith in humanity. Although it's cooled down now, it has left me with a scarred picture of a city I spent three very happy years living in, that I love and have always intended to return to. At the height of it all, I actually found myself questioning for the first time whether I really want to live there. I strongly questioned my previous assumptions about the capacity of the government to control criminal behaviour. I also felt a great rage towards the individuals responsible for the riots, and concern for the future when discipline and responsibility and moral feeling seem to have been abandoned by so many. Perhaps it reinforced my belief in the importance of those things - but I don't feel like I have a real resolution.

I was dismayed and horrified by the cascade of tragedies in Japan. The earthquake would have been bad enough by itself, but the tsunami that followed, and the leakage of radiation, were beyond belief. I so admire the Japanese people for their strength and endurance. The orderly way in which the nation dealt with the multiple tragedies should serve as a lesson to the rest of the world.

The world economic crisis. While my husband and I seem to be doing better than before thanks to his timely skills and talents, I feel the effects in my own job. Healthcare costs are increasing, taking a bigger bite out of my paycheck. More and more of my students have parents who cannot find work. I hope that we can all learn to be more prudent with our money. I also feel that people need to work to feel useful to be able to provide for their families. When these needs aren't fulfilled marriages crumble and more violence erupts.

The organization i've been a part of called BBYO, has impacted me in so many ways. There was an event my chapter did, where we went to D.C. and physically went up to homeless people and gave them food,water,clothing, and so much more. I speak sign language, and there was a homeless man who was deaf. I was the only one out of the whole group who could communicate with him.It was incredible. To see the looks on these people was life-changing. That moment made me revitalize my standards of a "teenager" because now I want to make a huge difference in my community and the whole world. I feel like there are parts of the world, that don't get any credit at all and are practically living in starvation. It's up to teens like me, to help them and lead this world into peace, which practically seems impossible. Even if the world can't be peaceful, at least parts of it can. :)

This year the revolts in Egypt greatly affected me because it will permanently change, possibly for the worse, Egypt's relationship with Israel. Egypt was Israel's only real allie in the area, and without that it is in serious risk. As a Jewish person, I feel really connected to Israel, and want it to be safe. Now that is even less of a guarantee.

NASA stops their space shuttle programs. i don't know if this REALLY impacted me that much, but i actually watched the footage of the "last" space shuttle lifting off and it reminded me of my younger years admiring and obsessing with astronauts and all things space related. it also is sad to me that we cannot afford to send these shuttles up anymore and explore and grow NASA, which is such a strong representer and figure of our country.

Twitter and technology's role in the fall of dictatorships across the Middle East - fantastic show of what open access to information can do.

The earthquake in Japan. It really made me realize how fickle our Earth is, and within minutes how many peoples lives can be taken, or ruined.

I don't know if one event impacted me more than others, but I found that it's been harder to stay disconnected from politics. I used to keep myself separated from politics because their so negative but I've been willing to speak up more. I hear friends blindly espousing opinions that aren't based on fact and I've started to speak up, especially when it comes to economics.

The earthquake and the Tsunami and the following atomic desaster in Japan made me realize with an unknown clarity how dangerous atomic power is and that we have to find other sources of energy as soon as possible and at almost every prize.

A single event? Well I see Pakistan in trouble, hunger around the world, earthquakes and flooding, Events in the world don't impact me individually. It's the combination of events that keep on pushing me forward. I want to make a difference in this world--by starting small. This starts with my school assignments. :)

The revolution in Tahrir Square that sprang from the injustices born by Tunisian citizens. This wave has begun to empower those of us in the US who feared that the citizens of our country would never rise to defend the hard fought gains of the last century and allow the oligarchs give everything to the rich.

The event that happened in the world this past year was the horrific earthquake in Japan. Although I have no connections that I am aware of there. It effected me to know that g-d took the lives of so many people. Why were they not written into the book of life. What did they not do as a people/person that was unpleasing to g-d? What things do I do or don't do that are unpleasing to g-d? Will I be written into the book of life for this coming year and years? For this I intend to be the best person, father, teacher and friend in the coming years.

I feel ashamed that I can't think of something off the top of my head that impacted me. I know there were a lot of disasters that happened in the world--nuclear meltdown, earthquakes and other disasters, but the event that probably hit closest to home was the political uproar in Madison. I had never been incredibly interested in politics--I paid attention, but never really searched out information. Getting involved with the politics in Madison and what Scott Walker is doing to the state made me feel both empowered and weakened. I felt empowered because, when I protested with Lisa, we came together with so many other people who felt the same way, and it was amazing to see. It was especially amazing how far the Democrats went to prevent Walker from passing his bill. It made me feel weak because there were so many people doing so much to get this to stop or to compromise, and Walker didn't so much as bat an eyelash. Some of the things the Republicans did were shameful. It makes me wonder where people's priorities are and wonder about the state of education in this state. I'm lucky to be able to watch it from a distance now, and I don't like the impact it's having on my colleagues, my students and what could be my future.

Libya: There was a story in the news about Libyan Boy Scouts who were digging graves for those who died during their revolution, instead of doing their normal Boy Scout activities. Those boys have had to see things American kids likely won't ever see. They've never gotten to do things most American kids take for granted. While that's just as well re: some things, for many others it makes me wonder how we could get them over here to camp, fish and experience the outdoor adventures 1st world Boy Scouts enjoy. Japan: Strikes at the root of how strong the Japanese people are. Reminds us that some people in positions of power (corporate, government, etc) just can't find a way to do the right thing, tell the truth, etc and that it isn't limited to the U.S. We can do better.

What seems to me the extremity of the so-called "tea party" movement has pushed the politics of our country farther to the right. Congress has argued about even paying the bills it has already incurred--to the point where a government shutdown has loomed twice already, and another is possible. These folks are so convinced of their "rightness" that they are willing to ignore what others who are more educated in these matters say is very risky. Not only that, but during the Republican primary debates so far, the audience has cheered Rick Perry for presiding over more executions than any other state; booed an active serviceman who is gay; and shouted "let him die" of a hypothetical person who did not buy health insurance. It seems to me the right wing has gone over the edge. And most of the Republican candidates do not even try to contest them--since they need their vote to get nominated. Only Jon Huntsman remains stalwart and sane. And the polls don't give him much of a chance. Why is this happening? I think the underlying insecurity triggered by the economic recession has brought out the worst in people. Fear of losing their jobs to immigrants makes them react negatively to any rational immigration policy. They are afraid to give equal rights to gay people lest "traditional marriage" be jeopardized. They cling to their guns and religion--as Barack Obama astutely observed in 2008. Insecurity radicalizes people. Fear poisons their thinking and skews their emotional responses. This is when democracy makes me nervous. Are these the people who will be selecting our next president? Will sanity reign--or will the highly motivated, frightened over-reactors prevail? I pray for God to protect us from ourselves...our crazy selves. We could be our own worst enemy.

The social justice demonstrations in Israel b/c it brought me to a level of awareness about social issues in Israel on a broad scale that I hadn't been aware of before.

The effect that the radical right has had on public discourse has alarmed and saddened me. We have also experienced economic losses due to the recession, and the increase in drug cost.

The ceremony for the 9.11 memorial. I was there when the towers went down. I was on a business trip to New York; my flight was late arriving and i was late getting to the meeting in the second tower. In my opinion, SOMEONE or SOMETHING was watching over me, and protecting me. MMy hotel was three bblocks away,a nd we had to be evacuated. I spent four days stranded in NYC because I could not get home. THe ceremony was touching, and beautiful, but I relived the terror I felt when it first happened.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan - I was struck by how quickly our lives can be shattered and washed away. Also, the killing of Osama Bin Laden and Americans' response to it. I was disgusted and saddened by the joy many people felt at the death of another human being. I kept thinking, 'what kind of people are we becoming?'

Oooh. The world has been ROCKED this year... Hmmm. Well, Navy SEALs gunned down Osama bin Laden. That was a big deal. In December, Eddie and I witnessed the Senate's abolishment of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (which went into effect on September 20), as well as its rejection of the Dream Act. Health care reform was passed. Obama has taken more licks than the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Roll pop. It's been a strange year. Those Tea Partyers keep being all crazy and Michele Bachmann has thrown herself into GOP debates. We're pulling our troops slowly out of Iraq and Afghanistan (right? I think? talking about it?). The Middle East witnessed a series of uprisings among Arab peoples, dubbed the "Arab spring." From Wikipedia: Since 18 December 2010 there have been revolutions in Tunisia[2] and Egypt;[3] a civil war in Libya resulting in the fall of its regime;[4] civil uprisings in Bahrain,[5] Syria,[6] and Yemen;[7] major protests in Israel,[8] Algeria,[9] Iraq,[10] Jordan,[11] Morocco,[12] and Oman,[13] and minor protests in Kuwait,[14] Lebanon,[15] Mauritania,[16] Saudi Arabia,[17] Sudan,[18] and Western Sahara.[19] SO! Last year I just wrote about the BP oil spill. This year, I can't edit. ;-) The winds of change, right? Has the world always been so volatile, or do we just have the best capacity to see it in HD and hear about it 24/7? As an American, it's made me think about our generosity (or lack thereof) and jingoism. I think I should get more involved in politics somehow. The stakes are so high...

The UN bill for a Palestinian state was an event in the world that impacted me. It was sort of a wake up call to get me more involved and knowledgable about Israel and the current issue at hand. Israel is one of the most important things in the world to me and I would do everything to help it survive.

I think the response to the death of Osama Bin Laden effected me a bit, I was surprised at the amount of hate that was around me it felt as if we were pretty similar to the terrorists in the response to his death.

The Arab uprising has brought me many questions about how I relate to my generation and also leaving my 20s. I look at the college and post college ages and see their passion and can reflect on my days. Also brings up questions about israel

The Arab spring. Born of long-fermenting dissatisfaction bred with the harsh global economic climate and the communicative power of the internet. And it took every last person by surprise. It is a time of radical change in the world. The tectonic plates o history on the move. And we don't have a clue where they're going until the papers hit our front stoop (or probably our inbox). The black swans have taken flight. Sit back, enjoy the fireworks, getcha popcorn ready...

the speeches of abu mazen and benyamin netayahu at the u.n. i realised how "we" have been fine and "right" at the diplomatic and policy level right thru but problematic in the implementation...there is no way you can do Occupation nicely.

The angry responses of audience members during the Republican debates;cheering executions and booing a gay service member. This makes me question my ability to engage with civility people of all poltical persauions and to understand the fear and anger that leads to these responses. My small Renewal Synagague has a program we call "The Bridge" in between morning services and Yiskor and the rest of afternmoon services. This will be our topic this year while reflect on why so many "sins" relate to speech.

The Arab Spring reminded me that nothing is set in stone so to expect large changes. It's also inspiring to see passion in young people like me. I hate being called the apatetic generation.

For me as someone who lives in Israel the revolutions in the Arab world have been of major impact. In ternms of how, it is far too early to assess. On the one hand I am convinced that democracy (of however limited a kind) must be good for the population but on the other hand as Israelis it is clear that we have reason to worry. We'll see what the year brings. On another domestic front the protests that we saw this summer in terms of cerating a better more responsive and compassionate society were clearly very important and very positive. It was wonderful to feel part of such a great and positive movement and to feel that much of what I live for in national terms is shared by large portions of the Israeli public. Once again it'll be a question of time before we see whether this actually affects the political world around us. I'm not naive and I detest our present government but on the other hand I think that in the long term no one will be able to totally ignore the strength of the protest even if only for the most cynical and vote getting reasons and that has to be good for the Jews.

The horrible weather and tornadoes that ravaged parts of the country did not directly impact my life but they touched me nonetheless. I feel a connection to the people who lost so much and yet showed such strength.

I think the latest world recession has had the most impact on me. The events in Europe will have the most far-reaching effects on the world monetary situation for many years to come. This will cause myself and others around the world to decrease our expectations of what can be done to ease world poverty and suffering. This is going to be a major setback for some time to come.

I almost lost my job because of the Republican standoff in Congress. They didn't pass the budget bill in December, 10, so our grant didn't get funded, so they re thought it, and it was denied. After 5 months, they redid it, and it was finally funded. It was a very scary time.

The threat of the Earthquake and Hurricane Irene at once brought back the fear and panic of Hurricane Katrina. I can finally admit the PTSD is still there and work to move forward.

I read a book that explained how individual life is not important but the systems of life are sacred. Humans have not only harmed the life of individual creatures, including ourselves, but we are destroying entire systems of life, to the point where we have jeopardized the entire System of life. This has made me reconsider having a child. I despair of the future they may find themselves trying to survive.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan was/is the world event that impacted me most. The runaway nuclear reactor was so frightening-- my heart went out to the people who lost everything and were exposed to radiation. The pictures of people wearing masks and mothers holding their babies as Geiger counters were passed over them was poignant and horribly ironic. I remember reading "Hiroshima" when I was in junior high school. I read about devastation that was nearly beyond imagining. That book, and this event, will remain with me as long as I live.

The global money markets. The wild ups and downs and unsurety of it has made for a year of finding out what truly matters. The things we value the most remain in our lives and the things that were costly or extras are being chipped off and out of our lives.

The Supreme Court decision that gives corporations the same rights of free speech as individuals, opening the floodgates for unlimited, anonymous political contributions. I consider myself a progressive activist thinker who has dedicated significant energy in recent years lobbying for the environment. I have been watching with ever-increasing trepidation as our country transitions to a new form of Corpocracy on the backs of the middle class. A Corpocracy that is blindly supported by a Tea Party that lobbies against its own self interest. For a while I was so disenchanted by the ignorance of the majority of the voting public that I wanted to give up. Then I realized that it was up to individuals to fight this trend and I got energized to fight the good fight--which is now the focus of energy for the foreseeable future.

All world events eventually impact those who live in the United States...just as all events in the US eventually have an impact on the rest of the world. I have been particularly aware of the people in various countries as they attempt to become free and/or democratic. Their efforts, which have come with such momentous dangerous, and often sacrifices, has made me want to explore our own political system more carefully. Despite the many flaws and political mud-slinging of those in federal and state offices, our democratic/socialist country still appears to be strong. I am aware our primary status in the world, as well as in areas such as health and education, is slipping. For the first time in my life, I want to help people of sincerity to have an impact on the directions in which we are moving.

The BP oil spill...The loss of human life, the loss of sea life...the loss of life because of our assumption that we have to have oil to run our cars because our cars are so important to us...so much the realization that individual needs (cars, profits, deniability) are more important than the greater good. Everyone in the world is affected by what everyone else does and so we should be angry and say "no more."

Osama bin Laden's death. I moved to the Middle East right before it happened, and suddenly I was in a foreign place, and maybe not so safe. It drove home the complexities of our international situation, the dangers, and the profound sadness of human hurt. We are capable of so much harm. So much good, too. One man's death was so many things to so many people. Nothing is simple, I think.

Last year it may have been the Love Parade death trap situation, and this year, I think it may have been WikiLeaks, and the idea that transparency should trump, but doesn't, and that only via transparency do we advance productively. It boggles me to think how much of our lives are governed by rules and regulations that are decided essentially in secret. How is it possible that Bush and Cheney were allowed to testify in secret about 9/11 and their decisions? From copyright to Middle East policies to the economy and industry regulation to crime bills and election rules to free speech and civil rights, we've lost our ability to impact what happens... our voices in the West have been all but silenced in our pursuit of real estate and gadgets and bigger HDTVs with 3-D. When we will wake up and realize that this is all supposed to belong to us. Corporations and Government should serve the people, not vice versa. And now that we've swung so deeply the other way, the big corporations and the governments spend so much money just to keep things as they are, as opposed to using their imagination to minimize suffering worldwide.

The Fogel family tragedy. Wasn't much western media coverage, really showed me how biased they are against Israel. trying to get the word really out that Israel is the only country that wants peace in the middle east, not the PA.

I've just sat here and tried to think of a world event this year. To no avail! It;'s been nonths since I last watched the news with any interest. I glance at The Journal most weeks, but that's not world news! My life has busied itself to a degree that, sadly, I'm out of touch with everything but myself. Do I want to return to the old ways? Sort of, yes and sort of, no. I'd much prefer a walk on the beach after dark rather than sat in my pj's infront of news at 10. Hopefully hand in hand with ...... Michelle of course! Really missing her! Just blogged a clip of me fishing on Kinmel Bay beach purely for her to attempt some response to me. I'm really struggling at the moment. I miss her so badly. I want no other and hope she returns and doesn't meet anyone else in the meantime. So, no! No news events worthy of inclusion! Sorry! My life is busy!!!!!!!

The Japanese earthquake occurred while my daughter was living in Japan. I was present through Skype and through her experiences. I had never felt the impact of a disaster so closely. Then the hurricane took out Schoharie, just 30 miles away, and I could see the before and after of a community I know. The world certainly shook me up this past year.

I was very moved by the protests in Tahrir Square in Egypt this past winter which led into the Arab Spring. While any change to the status quo feels somewhat threatening--even if events have nothing to me--I do feel, as a Jew raised the way I was, that *anything* can suddenly turn calamitous and we'll all be rounded up and put into camps. Nevertheless, the amazing uprising of people demanding rights and privileges seemed so hopeful. Women were active in Tahrir Square--and being listened to, at least in the Western press. It felt hopeful and scary and exciting. I found myself waiting, wanting something like that to happen with the Palestinians, that perhaps a way to peace could be found that way. I guess the biggest impact was that it made me more open to the idea of shaking up the status quo.

Earthquake in Raleigh. No damage or injuries but makes you understand how scary a more forceful earthquake must be.

The string of revolutions unfolding across the Arabic world. They have somehow made me aware of how interconnected we are. And Haiti's earthquake and the BP oil spill, which have been a reminder of how fragile we are.

The recession and the loss of savings due to the heavy losses in the stock market. I have seen the money put away to live on in my retirement years diminish. I retired sooner than I expected due to health problems and I hope and pray I will never have to be a burden to my children. They too have been impacted and are in no financial condition to help if I need it.

The killing of Osama Bin laden. I was not overjoyed. It made me sad. I do not rejoice in someone's death. I think that the day that I do cheer in the streets over someone else's misfortune, is the day my soul begins to die.

The Arab Spring and the Palestinian bid for statehood is constantly in my mind. On my cell I get text msgs from Quassam.com about every rocket that lands in the Negev, some near Dorot where we lived in in 1967. I feel great fear for Israel and also great anger at Prime Minister Netanyahu and the heavy Orthodox influence on Israeli actions. I am not suggesting they take an unrealistic stand with the Palestinians, but the settlements and the hooligan quality of the settlers upset me very much. It seems they destroy whatever little hope there might be....

The world event that has impacted me the most is the rejection of the push by Palestinians to jump the shark and have the UN declare (co-opt) Palestinian statehood. When the Arabs are ready to accept Israel, then Israel and the rest of the world will be ready to talk peace and statehood for Arabs.

Was this an event or a process? This year, I became aware of the striking difficulty in finding truth about world events. Perhaps the event is my sobering awarenss.

Two events this year maybe.. One being the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I am amazed at how quickly time passes & of how quickly we all forgot our grand gestures of brotherhood & friendship. We were so patriotic & full of fire and vengeance , .. And then we weren't . So many of us have had life paths altered by this event...I was 19 in 2001. Life seems so different at 29 than it did back then. The other significant. Event this year was the assassination of Osama bin Ladin . Vengeance ? Did it do any good? Are we safer? Did it help the families of victims find relief? Will there be more large scale terrorist attacks? What is the answer?

Prince William Marries Kate Middleton (April 29) I guess I need to keep looking for a prince...

I think the nuclear explosion in Japan had a large impact on me. It made me refocus on how important nature is, and how there is no easy solution to carbon-based energy. It also made me remember how much I value sustainability, and encouraged me to continue reducing my footprint.

The Palestinian decision to seek statehood at the UN. I've been confronting (and re-confronting) what I've thought about the whole situation -- what feels "right" from all different angles. Thankfully I've concluded I have no idea, but what worries me is that the people who are supposed to have an idea, don't either.

The majority government of Stephen Harper, the rise of the NDP to the status of official opposition and the death of Jack Layton. Ensemble, et surtout en succession ils représentent un sentiment profond de désespoir, suivi d'espoir, et de nouveau du désespoir. During the campaign there was the sense that something big was happening, a real change was coming about in Canada. But we quickly realized (or maybe I realized) that there was a problem in our electoral system. How could a man with approximately 40% of the vote walk away with a majority government? Something wasn't right. This shock was followed by another shocker, but this time a positive one. Could it be that the all-but-useless Liberals were dethroned from the pedestal as official opposition? Yes, it was true! Our suspicions about something big and important happening in the country were confirmed, the NDP were no longer a third-rate party that could be lumped in with the likes of the Green Party, they meant business. This was particularly bolstering in Quebec, as a non-Québecoise-de-souche (i.e. non-sovereignist) to finally have a Party in the Federal government that (1)didn't scare me, (2) could actually effect cross-country change. I never loved Orange Crush more (and I like it quite a bit when I was a kid!). And then just mere months later the distressingly shocking news of Mr. Layton's passing. My mother woke me up telling me the news, I could barely understand what she was saying. I thought for sure she must have heard wrong, I thought that maybe it was a prank or a false story where someone said something and a journalist took up an ran with it without checking the facts. No, it was true. And just like that Canada lost not only a fierce politician (at a time when we need fierceness the most), but truly a great man. The outpouring of love from all sides was evidence of this fact. When a great man dies, you forget your differences and mourn the loss of another human being. --- I think the reason this impacted me as much as it did, was because for once (in a long time) I had hope in my country politically. I haven't been shy to admit that I've been embarrassed by Canada's lack of leadership on some very important issues in the past few years. I thought we were building something, and now I'm not sure what is left standing. Some will argue that the Party was bigger than the man, but I don't think that true unfortunately. So we go back to a state of utter despair, and we hope that someone else will come along and inspire us the way that Jack Layton did. Someone who can make even the most jaded of us believe.

The Arab spring because I realized how really unstable the Arab world is and even though tyranny crumbled it is replaced by a different tyranny. I also feel much more sympathetic to the plight of israel in that their previous peace partners where basically eradicated and now they are dealing with even more unfriendly Arab govts that are very clear about their animosity and intentions of wanting to dismantle the Jewish state

Wow. There were a lot of traumatic events in the world this year: BP oil spill, earthquake in Haiti, earthquakes in Japan, assassination of Bin Laden. I'm floored by the many revolutions and uprisings that are happening throughout the world: Egypt, Syria and all over the US. I'm astounded that our country is currently in three separate wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. It's a frightening but exciting time in the world. Change is in the air but people are suffering and I want it to come quicker. I still believe in our president. The financial crisis in this country is horrible and I want things to get better. Now.

The death of Osama bin Laden. My roommate and I sat in our room, incredulous at the reaction. I can't believe that people were actually out in the streets CHEERING AND HAVING PARTIES at the death of a human. It's been 10 years since 9/11 and what did his death even really do? Nothing. It didn't bring back any of the people, American or Afghani or Iraqi, who have died in the past 10 years. It didn't end terrorism. It made me absolutely sick to see people so happy and excited about death, no matter how terrible of a person he was.

The Arab Spring has me frightened for the future of the state of Israel. Will these new emerging governments respect the Jewish State? Or will the hatred toward Israel and the Jewish People, taught for thousands of years, make things even worse?

The tsunami and earthquake crisis in Japan was devastating. Reading about the older Japanese veterans volunteering to clean up radiation so younger workers wouldn't be exposed to it is such a brave and admiral thing to do. "I am 72 and on average I probably have 13 to 15 years left to live," one of them said. "Even if I were exposed to radiation, cancer could take 20 or 30 years or longer to develop. Therefore us older ones have less chance of getting cancer." How would the US deal with a catastrophe of this magnitude? Japan was always somewhere I've wanted to travel to. Seeing it going through a nuclear crisis now is still hard to believe.

I'm not sure. So much has happened. The nuclear catastrophe in Japan, which has spread across the ocean to west coast. The arab spring revolution that ousted multiple governments. The BP oil spill continues to affect the US. But how am I affected personally? I'm not sure but I know I am. Not concretely but in subtle little ways I'll probably never know.

The killing of Osama Bin Laden. It seemed like an almost closure of the decade of Al Qaeda and Islamic terrorism. Not that it has been eradicated, but badly beaten.

My husband always chides me for not being more aware of the world and its happenings. I don't have a lot of time to read the news and it's not of huge interest for me. But this year the Joplin tornadoes were devastating. I'm from Missouri so FB went crazy for me when this began. All my friends were talking about it, posting pics and going to help--even though they lived in the opposite end of the state. It touched me that all these people that I knew were getting involved. Plus next time it could be my family's home. I hope not.

Seeing others' suffering during natural disasters (such as Japan's earthquake) was awful, but watching other people stepping up to help, even when they're in hard straits themselves, is awe-inspiring! The revolt and overturn of the government in Egypt...the Occupy Wall Street movement here in the States. Realizing that people are taking positive steps to make the world better is a wonderful thing!

The continual rise of the right wing in the U.S. and deep concern for where our country is headed. I want to be part of the turn around, the move toward valueing the common good, compassion and justice, and having that reflected in our politics.

The economy ... omg, the stock market = will I even have a retirement fund? Can I pay for my son's last year of college? So, instead of panicking, just look forward to what the future will bring.

the freeing of egypt and libya in the early months of the year had a profound effect on me. i was really moved but the courage of the people rising up against their government in want of a better life. made me grateful for what i have and appreciative of the people who want the same things. i followed the story on the news and online intensely, even writing Free Libya on my car :)

Tsunami in japan. It caused me to be more connective with my kidd and to try to catch a little more neews. Because my son was there

For the first time, after having lived in Greece for 30 years, I feel angry with the Greek government for the way they are handling the Greek Debt Crisis. I have come to realize that the economic dealings in the world are controlled by the banks, bankers, investors and speculators. The poor working people are always the sector of society that pays the highest price in all areas. The Greek Government has instigated a new law that would obligate each tax paying citizen of Greece to submit 50% of their declared income in receipts. In other words, the government is demanding and dictating that everyone must 'spend' and prove where they have spent, 50% of their declared income!!!! Is the democracy???? Where is the justice in today's societies? Who benefits from the operation of governments??? Certainly not the people, but only those in control and those who have the power and money to control the low-income groups of society. I fear that there will be continued and esculating uprisings. There will be more violence. There will be a social revolution...and, the Greek people will continue, as in the past as they were for more than 200 years under the Turkish regime, to be sly, cunning, deceitful manipulating money grabbers. How else with the common person survive and live a life that is with some level of civility? Who is any government, to tell its people how much money they must spend? Outrageous!!! How long before all people understand the truth...that the debt of the country is to the banks and that most of this debt is interest charged upon interest...and that the banks ask now for the country's general population to give 'free' money to the bank without interest! For the people...what will they gain? Nothing! Greece now finds lemons on the supermarket shelves imported from Argentina and garlic from China!!!! A national disgrace! Our best produce is shipped into Germany and Great Britain while the Greek people eat citrus fruits from Israel, sprayed with pesticides that are forbidden in Greece! People will not tolerate this injustice from much longer.

Congress's inability to get out of the budget deficit wrangle and get any useful work done.

Oh there have been many but mainly the revolutions in the middle east On the down side, as an Israeli I can no longer visit Egypt which was my favorite country. Luckily I did a big trip there just before

The rise of the Tea Party, and how their rampant rhetoric has seemed to sweep the country. I never thought such willful ignorance would be so widely accepted, so quickly. Makes me fear for the future of our country and the world.

Obama making a speech about Israel going back to 67 lines threatens Israels security and made me think about how vulnerable the Jewish people are.

The execution of Troy Davis really impacted me this year. I had followed the case for a while, and I had just signed the petition to stop the execution a few days before I woke to the news that he had been given the lethal injection. I couldn't believe they had actually done it. I felt sick to my stomach. Why would they do this? With all the evidence for his innocence, and the people who fought to keep him alive. The straw that broke the camels back was the family of the police officer who had nothing but bitter, triumphant, mean things to say like "He can talk himself into anything" and "Now the Davis family will know the pain we have felt" It blew my mind how ANYONE could wish for something that horrible to happen to an INNOCENT person, just to get revenge. I guess it's true what they say...misery loves company.

This year I've become very frustrated with politics in the United States. I've come to realize that the President really doesn't have any power because the Congress can and basically has kept him from getting all the things done for the country that he wants to. Seeing the skirmishes between the different parties in Congress that have blocked many bills and changes to the government that would benefit all Americans is scary because out lives are in their hands basically. If they don't want to help us or are too busy fighting among themselves to put the people they serve first, we're never going to get anything done. Things like the jobs bill and healthcare and anything where money needs to be spent have been hotly debated and held up be people unwilling to play bipartisan politics and nearly resulting in several government shut-downs. Why can't everyone just get along?

I am scared about the increase in anti- semitism and the "Palestinian" bid for a state. The UN scares me.

I think that the Arab Spring, particularly the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, is the event that has had the most impact on me this year. It has been amazing to see the people in these countries rise up against dictators, one after the other, and sometimes in the face of extremely violent oppression by their governments. I am amazed by the courage of these people and their willingness to stand up for their own freedom, even in the face of horrible consequences for them and their families.

The debt ceiling debate upset me terribly. I worry that the US is no longer a country concerned with the problems of the people, but rather the politics of the government. I'm disheartened by the selfishness of our politicians, and I'm convinced that they no longer listen to the people. Discouraging!! It's impacted me tremendously, as our plans were for me to retire at age 60. I'm now unable to do that due to the tremendous effect this has had on our finances.

President Obama's indecision and waffling on issues---I had such hope and now I cannot even watch the news since it's so depressing in all areas of our lives and over the whole world...We need some people to take action and to care again.

The continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. So many young men from small American towns dying or severely wounded without any legitimate reason. And the billions of dollars spent on the military when the needs are so great at "home" in education, health, the elderly, the environment, reform in the housing and banking industry. I wrote the word "home" above and realize I don't really think of the US as "home" anymore. The deterioration of the substance of a sense of home now, as I reach 75, brings deep sadness to me. As a journalist covering many political and social events over the last 40 years, I knew the flaws we lived with. But now there is such emotional and factual ignorance among so many adults that I can't help but be deeply concerned about the future of my former home. What is home to me now? My family . . . .

Hurricane Irene came so close to home. I think that often when disaster strikes, I image that it is always "somewhere else." Not so, no one, including me is immune from tragedy.

Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. My brother-in-law's younger brother was killed by an IED in February. My family has been lucky in that we are very close with my sister's in-laws. I wear a bracelet with his name on it every day to remind myself of his sacrifice and of how unpredictable life is.

The earthquake/tsunami in Japan really impacted me. It makes all my fears of climate change that much more real. I am worried about our food and water supply on a global level... about what our priorities are and ways in which we live that won't be able to be sustained in such disasters. On a local level, it has acted as a catalyst for me to get to know my community and act now for what the future could hold.

Riots all over the world have made a huge impact on me this year, specifically those that took place in the Middle East. The "Arab Spring," as the western world has so eloquently described it, is a perfect example why I lead trips to Poland. It has emphasised how important it is to educate youth about the inhumain powers of prejudice and religious surpression, governmental oppression and repression of a people. The "Arab Spring" was a prime example of people fighting for human rights and their personal right to self determination, which millions of people from Westernised, democratic countries, take for granted on a daily basis. It instilled a further belief that we cannot sit back and watch as people around the world are being treated like utter shit!

The 9/11 10th anniversary brought me back to that day. I was reminded of how grateful am for those people I love.

The hunger crisis in Somalia. It may be sad to see those kids dying slowy of hunger. We have more than what we need and sometimes we want more. We are never happy.... Also, I was sad because women and children are usually the most affected. On top of that, men in those countries do not treat them with respect either. I just don't know how some of them make it or why they would even want to continue living.

With the famine in Darfur, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, earthquake in Haiti, Israeli & Palestinian ongoing war, I have come to see that the US can't solve the world's problems. I think we should be more like Canada or the Scandinavian countries - forces for good and for peace and let other countries sort out their problems themselves.

The on-going economic downturn is the most obvious. In my job every single day I speak with dozens of people who can't find jobs, pay their rent, get low-cost child care for their kids, keep out of foreclosure, obtain medical treatment or even have food in the home (if they have one). There will always be poor, but I'm hearing from more and more people who find themselves in crisis for the very first time. In my family and personal life it has made me an even more frugal person. My husband and I recognize that we will eventually be caring for my mother and his father. We are working on quickly paying off his student loans and build up funds for the future. It is making me be more creative with how I spend my time and how I use funds. It is also helping me to recognize the importance of creating and maintaining community. Who will I be able to turn to if I find myself in crisis? In the US we pride ourselves on being independent, but what happens if we legitimately can't make it on our own? Must we eat crow and beg for help or will we have people who love us and take care of us? Will I take care of others in need? What will that look like? What boundaries must I set? Just as I need compassion and mercy (and both are given to me by God) I must be compassionate and merciful to others. How?

The Tsunami in Japan was really intense. It was hard to just sit around while their country got destroyed. We had absolutely no control over it. I began to realize how much we take everyday life for granted.

I feel like I've been very insulated this year. Certainly I read the newspaper and discuss the events that are going on, but I don't think any of it has actually impacted me. Is that the American Condition? We don't really feel it unless it impacts our lives specifically? That's embarrassing, I think.

Marriage equality in New York. I can get married in the state that I live in now!

Hurricane Irene kinda sucked. Left us without water or electricity for several days.

Hurricane Irene coming up the east coast had me focused on the NJ shore and the threat to that region, and then afraid for all my friends in the places that were flooded. I felt so high and dry in western PA, remembering how scary it was to live on LBI and see the water rising during a northeaster or hurricane. The other series of events that grabbed my attention was the spring of revolution in the middle east. I admire such courage in the face of tyranny. I want to see what happens next. I'm also tuned in to the financial crisis in Europe, particularly the bottom falling out of the Irish economy. When I was there a couple of years ago, there seemed to be a boom underway. Now, it's all falling apart. I keep coming back to condemning the reckless greed underlying it all, just for something to blame. But I wonder if we're all caught in this vortex of disaster. I imagine what it will be like when our own economy collapses, of how different life will be. I think we will look back on this year with great wistfulness--the year we could still afford to have the gutters cleaned, or overtip the diner waitress, or take a vacation. I think that, for us, at least, these may turn out to be the good times we used to know. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

There's been so much. The repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. The passage of Gay Marriage in NY state. The earthquake in Haiti. The floods in the eastern U.S. due to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. It's been an amazingly happy and amazingly sad year at the same time. Gay rights are moving forward, and that is awesome. But at the same time, there's so much suffering, and people are worrying about their next meal, not whether or not they can get married. I feel blessed in many ways. I'm not starving. I've had no damage from the floods (though an hour south of me there was major damage). I can't get married here in PA, but there's so much I can do. We'll keep fighting the good fight, but I think it's important to place it in context: There's lots of other things going on, not just the Gay Rights movement. I lose site of that sometimes.

My husband got laid off and it was terrifying. For 6 months I watched the rock of my life feel stressed out and helpless (a familiar feeling for me, not him). I couldn't do a thing to comfort him. And I was afraid that we would run out of money, and I was helpless to do anything about it too. The fact that this was going on around the same time I was struggling with pain in my back only added to the stress. I gained weight, I gave in to my sugar addiction and I felt perpetually helpess. On the flip side, getting to spend so much time with him made me so much less lonely. I felt a little guilty about that, but on the other hand, it was kind of like a second honeymoon. On a more global sense, the earthquake in Japan was shocking and put our world in perspective on a daily basis. We felt blessed to have a roof over our head.

The earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant disaster in Japan made me realize how vulnerable we all are. The Japanese have long been considered well prepared for disaster, and it was inspiring to read of the many stories of how they pulled together as a society. Despite their preparations, there still was much suffering. In our own backyard, the experiences of the U.S. from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to the Gulf Oil Spill, and also our experiences in response to the Haiti earthquake made me realize how far we need to go to become a truly united society.

The changes in the Middle East have impacted me. The quest for freedom and democracy and the courage required to follow though with what one believes in. I felt connected to these people in these countries, connected as a human being. We are all one.

The realization that much of the world is run by psychopaths. That leaders can rationalize genocide war and greed to no end. Whether it is oil spills, unjust war, exploitation of the vulnerable it is my job,our job, as conscious individuals to speak out. So everything has impacted me more than ever.

I don't think there's a single event that has impacted me more than any other. I was disappointed but not surprised that the Republicans did so well in the mid-term elections. I hope we don't see that trend continue in the 2012 election.

The awful storms we have had throughout the summer and fall. I realized how fortunate I am to have a safe house and a community with good responses. Though we lost power for 10 hours only, others were without power for much longer. I realized that I am prepared for a natural weather disaster and am safer in that knowledge.

Last month marked the ten year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. During the time of the event, I was only in first grade so I did not fully understand the extent of the impact. Now, ten years later, after thoroughly studying the entire disaster through newspaper articles, pictures, speeches, and videos, I am appalled. I am not only appalled by the meaning behind the attack but by the fact that I had no idea how horrific the incident truly was towards America. Not only have I gained a greater appreciation towards our loyal firefighters, I have also gained a greater respect towards the intensified airport travel security, along with other acts of terrorist prevention.

Birth of twin granddaughters The good fortune

The Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Plant Meltdowns frightened me the most, and portend what I most fear for the West Coast of the US, especially the NW Coast and the potential of the Cascadia Fault, Earthquakes, and Tsunami happening in our lifetime.

I'll be completely honest, I insulate myself from "reality" and don't pay much attention to what is going on outside of my immediate life. Everything that happens around me like earthquakes, floods, etc, are horrible things but they don't touch my life directly so it's hard for me to become emotionally involved the situation. I'm certain if I lived in an area impacted by such tragedies I'd feel differently and probably wish I had had more compassion for others. Even writing this makes me sound so self-involved but that's who I am. It's not ideal and it's not great and the world would be a sad place if everyone were like me. It's just hard to spend the emotional cycles on things that I can't see making a difference.

The african draught. It's made me realize how lucky I am. How much my mom has done for us. Bringing us here was the best decision she's ever made and it made me remember my past and how it could've easily have been my current. I'm so grateful for all of the things God has blessed me and my family with, the small things that we take for granted but make a world of a difference, the things we don't even realize we have until we know longer have. God is magnificent and this event has made me see just how glorious he is. There are numerous world events that occur weekly, monthly but this is the one that's made me ache for mercy.

It was a pretty intense year....earthquake in Haiti, tsunami in Japan, tornadoes in the south....but Hurricane Irene's assault on Vermont hit closest to home, literally. The flooding in my former home state floored me. My extended family all around the state dealt with varying but staggering levels of damage. It was a nightmare for a state that usually doesn't get much attention for natural disasters.

A world event that has impacted my life was the 10th anniversary of September 11th because I remember being the petrified fourth grader when it happened and being able to see how far we have come has made me proud and able to feel safer.

The economy in America has had great affect on me this year. People all around me as well as me have been devastated by decreasing home prices, salary decreases, increasing costs at every corner and a government that refuses to help the small business and middle class. We are stretched so thin many of us are sinking and there doesn't appear to be a lifeboat in sight.

This year, I was impacted by the many events I went to with/relating to Algalita, more specifically the "Kids Talking Trash" event at the aquarium. There is a heady sense of freedom when you realize that people are finally taking you seriously and that you can have a real conversation to come up with solutions.

The riots in Egypt - the way the rioters there used Twitter and other social media to broadcast to the world what was going on in their country and how bad it was. It was tragic to witness, of course, but also redeeming to see how many people online responded and set up call centers or sent supplies or figured out other ways to help. For once, the news wasn't in control of the news - the people were.

I'd have to say that the Christchurch earthquakes have definitely affected me. Especially the big killer one, as it was just after I moved here, it really showed me how strong one little country can be, and that miracles happen when people work together.

The texas drought. My shrubs are dying, one of my figs died, my roses are dying my water bill is outrageous, my AC bill is up, it's too hot to see my neighbors. It has brought an awareness to us as a community that we are really dependent on water. Our yards have to change. Our lives have to change.

There were many significant world events that occurred this year -- the vast majority of which were violent, tragic, disturbing or a combination of those qualities. However, there was one event that galvanized the world that, in my opinion, was completely positive -- the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Their wedding had a real impact on me, because with all the news coverage it got it was hours and hours of unbridled joy and excitement. With all the negative news being reported before and after it was a breath of fresh air and it was thrilling to "watch" people around the globe celebrating. As a moment in time, it came as close to a world living in peace as I've ever seen and gave me great hope in the humanity of humankind. It makes me feel well inclined towards my fellow human beings every time I think about it. A brief, but deeply moving and joyful event in history that we should use as an example in recognizing that we CAN put aside our differences and come together as one.

the execution of troy davis. troy davis' execution could have been stopped if people along the chain of involvement - politicians, judges, prison employees, manufacturers and suppliers of the deadly chemicals used - had opted out of their "duty" or contradicted what was expected of them. it highlights for me the importance and necessity of individual action in addition to addressing larger systemic patterns or policies. my choices and actions do make a difference and it is imperative that we all continue working for social change.

Probably one of the biggest world events this year was the strike on Osama Bin Laden, the culmination of ten years of searching for the madman responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people during 9/11. The death of the terrorist kingpin was surprising; many thought that he would never be found, or else he had already died. When I walked into school the morning after this happened, people were happy. It was the first time, and probably the last, that I appreciated the killing of another human being.

The cold-blooded murder of a family in Itamar, in the West Bank. It upset me to see how much media bias against Israel affected coverage of the event.

The Republican nomination process, and Minnesota marriage constitutional amendment, have shown me how much hate is still left in America. Luckily, this seems to be the reaction of a minority against the inevitable tide of progress. I tend to think that my life is my business. I wonder why some people are more concerned about what I do than I am.

The bombing/shootings in Norway this summer had impacted me at that time. My boyfriend (then, now my ex) was in Norway, and I started crying when i heard about it. Of course, I thought of the worst scenario. Nothing happened, of course, but it gave me quite a scare. Made me keep a lookout on the news channel - which i never check.

The 10th reunion of 9/11 really affected me this year. I had really never had any interest in it, i had been to young to understand when it happened, but this year i watched a bunch of shows about it, and i was sad. it made me realize how lucky we are to be free, and safe everyday.

The Arab Spring. I am equally hopeful and fearful, as this particular event is far from over. I believe its outcome will affect world history for at least 100 years. May it be for the better.

The world economic crisis is effecting the stock markets. I am a senior and this effects our income which dictates our life styles. We have to make many compromises and live frugally.

This is not something quite so serious as the Haiti or Sichuan earthquakes or the death of Osama Bin Ladin. I think my childhood is ending (literally since I'm a week away from 18 and figuratively in other ways) abruptly. Harry Potter has marked my life all these years and now both the book and the movie series are officially done and it saddens me. Someone at the midnight showing actually shouted, "my childhood is over!" after the movie ended. I look at the underclassmen at my school and realize that they have no idea what's ahead of them. The farthest they look is their high school prom. And I used to be the same way. Actually, I'm still only looking ahead in my life a few weeks at a time because of all the SAT, ACT, and application stuff I'm working on. My countdowns last a month at the most and even that's stretching it. I only hope that in college and beyond that, I'll be able to hold a tight grasp on life as it comes at me and be able to call myself a real adult.

The continued economy slump with housing prices. I want to sell my home and move to a different state to be closer to my family and I've been hoping the housing market would turn around. It has not. I will sell my house regardless but will suffer a financial loss because of the depressed price I will receive for it. This will affect my future financial situation.

This isn't a specific event, per se, but all year I have been thinking about the American health care system and how terrible it is on so many levels. First and foremost, it reflects the value that health care is a privilege - only some people deserve it. Second, it commodifies people's bodies, so that they are really money-making entities - health care is about capital, not health (I've learned, for instance, that health care companies use the concept of "medical loss ratio" to indicate that people's health needs are simply costs to the company, and they calculate insurance cost and risk based on that). Third, it stratifies society even more deeply than it already is, based on class - people who can afford to pay for cadillac health insurance get all the care they could ever want and more; others, who are uninsured, drive to Mexico to pay out of pocket for care (or people, like those I worked with in NYC, use up all their savings to access gov't health insurance and then find themselves homeless) - this is about much more than health, its about how people spend their energy and time and money and how that impacts their day-to-day lives. And this is just the beginning. Who decides what is public? What is private? Who wins and who loses by each decision? I know it doesn't have to be there way -- Canada: case in point. Or England. Or Holland. That makes me angry. This is tragedy.

The whole political mess and infighting. I worry that my benefits that I count on will be cut, I worry that my freedoms and those of my grandchildren will be impacted to please the religous right, I worry that we are becoming less civil and tolerant of eachother and backsliding into a conservative landscape that did not serve women and minorities well.

We have had massive flooding this year where I live. Some people had no chance and others have come out alright. The whole experience has shown me that life is a series of events that you can only control so much of. No matter how planned you are there are forces larger then you at play.

The earthquake in Japan. That country has had a very dark history, but in something so unavoidable like an earthquake, and on such a large scale, I was really worried, especially for the people who's lives were in danger.

The stock market in the US and globally continues to be erratic. This is creating instability for hiring, new business, growth, arts spending, etc. When will the US be on solid ground again? I feel like I'm having to shift my world view from how I was raised; this is hard work. Idealism and false promises are butting up against fading hope and the realities of being an adult white gay male in an urban community.

The US impasse in congress has made me incredibly sad as our country is in real serious trouble and we are hostages of a dysfunctional political system. Feeling that we, on a grass roots level, have to claim sanity back and start making the changes ourselves.

All the droughts that have left places unable to sustain life. So in underdeveloped countries, people move to get to water, but cross borders without realizing it and wars are breaking out. It is bad enough in developed countries that are trying to divert water to drought and put out massive fires. But especially in Africa where there is no way to even start to do this, the lose of life is terrible.

I've followed the news like I have every other year ... nothing stood out as major to me ... I think I was more affected by interesting feature stories than breaking hard news stories.

I had the opportunity to visit Sderot twice this year. I hadn't fully appreciated the impact the rockets from Gaza were and still are having. It was brought home when we heard on the news later in the day, that a Grad had landed half a kilometer from where we were. Somehow the world seems to ignore this just as they ignored Netanyahu's speech to the UN and only focused on what Abbas had to say. How will there ever be a settlement when we are judged so unfairly?

The economic situation has me more frazzled than I usually get about such things. My kids are late teens/early twenties and it's a bleak picture, especially in their chosen fields of the arts. As for me, unless my writing takes off, which is unlikely given the world of publishing now, or I can find a decent teaching gig, I'm pretty darned unemployable in any but a minimum wage setting, at least without going back to school for something. I'm in my mid-fifties and haven't worked since my kids were born unless you count constant volunteering. It made sense at the time, but with my husband (1) leaving me 5 years ago and (2) no longer being as employable as he was, because the film industry has changed so much and he's older, which commands no respect, it's scary. I wish Obama had lived up to his potential. Not that he could have "fixed" the mess that Bush left behind, but a little more strength and savvy would have gone a long way. I'm even more horrified by the conservatives in this country than I've ever been, and the world's become a scary place. I worry for my kids most of all.

The earth quake and tsumani in Japan were horrifying. Despite careful thought and thorough preparation the sea flowed over the seawalls and wreaked havoc. Some survived, many didn't. Towns were turned to tiny shreds of building material in towering mounds. They had planned, calculated and been carefully prepared, but the forces of nature are so huge and unpredictable. All you can do is try to prepare as best you can, then life will deliver what it will.

A year ago our friends lost their home in the PG&E gas line explosion in San Bruno, CA. Their welcoming home was three houses from where it happened. Our hearts were so heavy and overwhelmed until we found out that they were not home at the time. The loss of everything that they owned was horrible but thank God they were spared to have another year together. Sadly, Jim passed away recently. On a happy note, the SF Giants won the world series and the whole Bay Area was excited and happy for a very long time.

When I heard about the drought in Somalia and that a many as 600,000 children will have died by the end of the year. It really touched me and started me to thinking what I could and should do. Instead of worrying about what the debt ceiling is for the United States. We could all help and the problem would be solved.

The death of Osama Bin Laden. A stain on the world was removed. Though I was not the type to have a celebration about it, i certainly was happy to hear of his death.

The economy collapse has limited my professional options. The reduced medicare / medicaid payouts may involve position elimination at the hospital.

The Norway Massacre shocked our world. Here, in the home of the Nobel Peace Prize, our naivete was shattered as we witnessed the horrifying impact of fear and hatred. But we also witnessed the response of the Norwegian people, their King, and elected officials -- their peaceful response is an inspiration to the world. At home in the U.S., the recession and our elected officials' inability (or unwillingness) to rise above partisan politics and lead this country have impacted our lives on almost every level. Consequently, I think that I am less free, less in control of my life and future.

killing of obama and passing immigration law in az.,the tuscon shootting . i realized how we see and use violence and when it is ok and when it is not ok.it taught me that in general the world does not want to take care of people and love one another.

Rise of the Tea party. Really frightening to see how quickly things can turn around and deteriorate. Also - My feelings about Obama have started to change. I'm Worried about his skill and judgement. All of whichhas made me fearful about our society.

The tenth anniversary of September 11th is an event that really impacted me this year. I was in 7th grade when 9/11 occurred and I thought I understood what happened at the time. Watching all of the recaps and stories about what happened that day has shown me that I was still so ignorant and naive as to the events that occurred. Today, I am much more grateful to the men and women who lost their lives trying to save other people. Such selfless acts should never result in such great tragedy.

I am so overwhelmed by the how the events in the Middle East are impacting Israel, that it is difficult for me to even think about it. While I am delighted and excited about the so called "Arab Spring" and the possibilities that it raises for citizens in those countries, the hints of threats from countries with previous peace agreements, and the increase in violence from Palestinian sources create a sense of never ending despair.

The earthquake and resulting tsunami that devastated the Fukushima nuclear power plant has resulted in a ton of international backlash against nuclear power. Germany has pledged to rid itself of all nuclear power by 2020. This has severely impacted the so-called "nuclear renaissance" that so many engineers were talking about for a few years now. I am skeptical that any major developments in nuclear power will be possible in the US for over at least a decade. This directly affects some of my career goals and interests, as I am currently starting off grad school in a mechanical engineering program focusing on energy production. I am curious what the outlook on the future of nuclear power in this country and the world will look like one year from now.

I haven't been deeply impacted by one major world event this year...but the many milestones of this year's Congress have deeply troubled me. The near-miss with raising the debt ceiling...the other moments where Congress simply cannot come together to do its job and govern on behalf of our nation. More and more I believe that we shouldn't vote for anyone that wants to run for public office, because the simple reason that they want to run makes them unfit to do the job. I hate to speak about politics or get involved, but our "leaders" need to remember why they are there and do what we elected them to do.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 came upon the heels of the 10th anniversary of my family's move to florida. It created an opportunity to reflect on my life here and how different it is than the life that I wanted for myself 10 years ago. Baruch Hashem its not different in a bad way but different none the less. The Security council vote for israel has impacted my involvement in israel advocacy on campus. It urges me to do more, since I know I can do more, and I know that know I need to do more. Its just a matter of fact of pushing myself to do more, which is sometimes a bit too much for my self confidence. Having spent so much time in Israel, allowing it to be thrown to the wolves in the UN is not even a question or an option. There is a way for peace, and the UN giving membership is not a solution.

None, don't allow myself to be too impacted by world events, my world became smaller through choice.

The tsunami in Japan. I live in earthquake country and people never think it can happen to them, but it can, and those images were a vivid reminder of the forces of nature.

Earlier in the year, Osma Bin Laden was located and killed by Special Ops. September 11 was the 10th anniversary of the bombing of the twin Towers in New York. Coincidentally, it was also the 6th anniversary of my father's death. These two events provided some closure for the people directly and indirectly affected by 9/11. They also provided some reflection on the nature of terrorism, of vengeance and of getting on with one's life.

The "Arab Spring" was actually a series of events that created a mixture of hope and fear but mostly a sense of change on the scale I remember last in 1989 (and the years following). In the same way, I think that the future is unclear for our region (the Middle East) and the world. Uncertainty always brings extraordinary opportunity and threat. Most importantly, though, the Arab Spring brought to the fore individuals in the Arab world, destroying the monolithic impression normally absorbed by Israel and the West.

The riots in London were a real surprise. Amazed to see some of the places I used to know go up in flames. Really made me feel like my life there is finished.

There have been so many events these years. It seems they are all monumental in proportion so it's hard to pick one from so many. Since this happened just a few days ago I'll say the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" laws. Though it was disappointing 18 years ago to see Clinton have to make such a compromise and to experience the results of what those compromises do to the lives of people directly involved, I don't believe we could have gotten here 20 years later without that step. It's a very important one for not just gays and lesbians in the military but for all of us straight, gay, undecided.

The "Stand with Wisconsin" rallies this past February. I went with a friend and felt really good about doing something, no matter how small, about supporting unions. While I don't think unions are perfect, they are possibly all the 99% have against the 1% who own and control everything in the U.S.

Just the other day, the Wall Street takeover started. I have the feeling that this movement will have a great impact on the entire world as it grows and expands to other cities....the fact that even CNN has not televised it, shows that the potential is there....

Global warming. Health care. Occupywallstreet. The economy's continued crash. 10 years of war and counting. Hurricane Irene -- the certain knowledge more terrible weather is coming. Our terrible, tragic disappointment of a president: We needed FDR, we got FML. What events in the world haven't affected me and my family this year? The ground is getting harder and harder, and even with all our blessings we feel it. And it is easy for us: All around us, we see people who can no longer get by. I wish it was getting better. But I don't think it is.

I think an accumulation of all the natural disasters have taken their toll on me. This year I have had to deal with tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding. It's a bit much. I have friends all over the globe, so I often know someone who is affected by whatever the latest disaster is. This year we had the whole hurricane scare - something I have never had to deal with. There was something very surreal about packing up our valuables and being at the mercy of a storm. There was too much time to think about it; too much time to worry. But it certainly puts things into perspective.

The death of Osama Bin Laden really scared me. I worried for weeks that there would be retaliation against the world.

The trapped miners in the copper mine in Copiapó, Chile. Such a tragic event with such a happy ending. I feel it really united the planet as people in all countries felt the grief and collectively hoped for a successful conclusion. The planet was for a short time a community with common goals. It showed to me what is possible globally with the internet and tv.

I know I should be more affected by the Arab Sring, which I completely celebrate, or bin Laden's death, or the devestating earquake in Japan, or the Norway massacre, or maybe even the Royal Wedding, but truthfully the world events (or in once case, non-events) that impacted me the most were the idiotically predicted "End of the World on May 21, 2011", and the grounding of the Space Shuttle program. Firstly, the end of the world prediction was a farce from the get-go and the people that got behind it were dupes and fanatical

The BP oil spill really shook me up. I know that no human lives were lost but the ocean will NEVER recover from that. People lost not only their jobs but their lively hoods and those things cannot be mended. It just really upset me how nonchalant the official and BP employees were to this tragedy.

a few did- the hurricanes in japan: i felt so helpless, and there was nothing i could do to directly help, but everything was such a mess there. osama bin laden's death: i felt so much safer, knowing he was dead. plus it felt like justice for the US, especially the families left uncomplete because family members died in the 9/11 attacks. 9/11/11: ten year anniversary. it was crazy, how it's been 10 years. i was FOUR when the attacks happened, and I faintly remember being told about them/sort of knowing what was going on but not understanding the seriousness of it. also, my friend from israel, arielle, flew home on 9/11/11 and it scared me that she was flying back to the middle east on that day.

American politics and it's role it plays in our financial future. I've become very concerned recently and honestly, a bit scared, about how our country is managing our money. There are so many problems in this world, and America is looking after a lot of them, but what they should really be doing is using that money to fix things at home.

I was disgusted by the way the world reacted to Bin Laden's death. Cheers? Really?

I think the earthquake in Japan which caused the nuclear plant so much damage has very much impacted the way we live. My family is already very earth conscious and this event has made us even more determined to find ways to live with less impact on the earth. We have been discussing going to one car, (we barely use both of them anyway) We take care to spend our money in ways that support local, organic, fair trade as much as possible (or just go without). We are attempting a garden on our deck (we have no yard) and we are entering into conversation with local politicians to find ways to help our community to become more conscious. All in all- this event pushed us a little harder to become more focused on what we think is important.

Definitely the Arab spring. The democratic-and sometimes not as much- movements that sprung up and continue to occur in countries like Yemen male me think about where our world will be in ten years - or even five.

The 911 10th anniversary was very moving and I felt it in a deep way that I didn't or couldn't feel when it happened. I cried, felt loss and also was amazed at listening to the many inspiring stories of how loved ones were dealing with the loss.

The Tucson shooting was a shock and also another situation that impacted my job and my state. I love living where I do and am proud to be from AZ, but others don't always see my state the way that I do. They only know the negative news.

The retirement of the Space Shuttle Program. It was something I followed closely as a child when it was being developed, and its lifetime arc closely mirrored my own. When the last Space Shuttle landed, a huge part of my childhood died. It was one of the last real tangible continuities from my youth, and suddenly made me question my own usefulness and mortality here on earth.

Sept 11, 2011 was a great opportunity to look back at Sept 11, 2001. We had just gotten married, and I was folding clothes as I watched the twin towers hit. As I realized who was behind it I realized how much I have been missing. I hope not to be so blind ever again.

The economic situation in here in Ireland has been getting steadily worse due to the incompetence and laziness of the government. It is inaffectual and making the country worse by the day. More taxes are introduced, rates are heightened, there is hardly an incentive to find work and my own family have had incredible diffculty in mainting stability due to a number of unforseen circumstances.

The execution of a man who was very possibly innocent. Enforces my belief that the death penalty should be abolished.

The one I remember the most was the World Trade Center. I can still see the tv in my mind and just being so shocked that there could be so much hatred in someone to kill so many innocent people

-The BP oil spill made me realize how distant and unaware I have become from the politics of the corporations that influence politics in the United States, especially in Colorado Springs, where I live. I felt helpless and angry. Angry at myself for being passively silent. It is not that I feel I could have prevented the oil spill. However, I do have the ability to speak out and be active where I live. Instead of doing nothing, I need to do what I am can.

The New York legalization of marriage! How exciting it was to experience the New York Congress deliberating and finally deciding to be on the "right side of history", as they say. I watched the discussions and vote online, and now my girlfriend and I are getting married next week. How awesome is that?!

The war in Libya. It's made our country much poorer. It's being denied that it even is a war, when it's just another Iraqi war in essence. For da oil, of course. Humanitarian? Screw it. There's nothing humanitarian about sneaking your way into something on false pretenses of "helping others" when you can't afford to, and it's honestly just because you want what they got. It's affected me tremendously, both economically and in a humanitarian sense.

It sounds so small...but the debt ceiling debacle was really a turning point for me. For the first time since I started caring passionately about politics and government, I kind of threw up my hands and said, "They all suck!" and decided not to pay such close attention. It's a bad sign for our democracy if a dedicated follower and participant can get so turned off...I'm worried for our future as a nation.

The commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It is amazing that so much time has elapsed because it feels like yesterday that our country was torn apart. I frequently wonder how the people that lost their loved ones are able to cope and go on with life after such a catastrophic loss. And yet, perhaps, "going on" is the best tribute possible to those who perished.

Japan's reactor spill and earthquake; Hurricane Irene they were scary

I believe the economy is still a drag on all of us. Until our government learns to get along & solve problems rather then create them we're going to have problems getting out of the mess we're in.

The death of Bin Laden.

The terrible economy. It's hurt our family.

The BP oil spill and Global Warming. It made me more environmentally conscious and politically more aware of events that was happening in my own country and globally. Deforestation of rainforests and the death of the Great Barrier Reef was also heartbreaking- we young people are the ones who will inhereit Earth in the future and we need to take care of it now.

I thought that the tenth year anniversary of September 11th was something that impacted me greatly in the past year. In 2011 I was only in fourth grade, old enough to understand what happened, but not old enough to understand the affect it would have on my country and the world. I never thought that the events of that day would continue to be talked about today. It was on that day where I was pushed to realize how short life can be and to treasure every moment we have. Since the anniversary, I have been able to look back on the last 10 years and see how my life has changed since then.

Don't ask, don't tell was repealed My sexual self is now less the other, more the more. Although I was never in the military, those like me who are free to reveal themselves reveal me.

I'd say it's a toss up between the tsunami in Japan and the killing of Osama Bin Laden. The first because the video of the tsunami hitting were so powerful and captivating and really almost humbling to think of a group of people living in such fear. The second because it really made me have to evaluate what I think justice really means and reflect on how uncomfortable the cheering over someone's death was. Knowing that a person that was as capable of as much evil as Bin Laden was, I was relieved that he was found and also gone. But the cheering that surrounded it did make me feel conflicted because that didn't feel like the appropriate response to me, either.

The drought and famine occurring in the Horn of Africa region has affected over 13.3 million people. It may not have impacted me directly but it's certainly had powerful influence over me. This tragic crisis has inspired me to run my first half-marathon for a cause (CARE) that raises money to provide aid to the people suffering in this area. It's amazing what the value of $1 is to people living on virtually nothing. I feel blessed and obligated to contribute to those in dire need of help. My goal is to raise between $1,000-$1,500 by the day of the race, May 6, 2012.

Osama bin Laden was shot and killed by Navy SEALs. This allowed for me to laugh at my friends shirt that sayd fuck Osama bin Laden

The riots in August in the UK. Made me scared of being attacked and killed.

I think the continuing rise of facebook affects me personally the most. It encourages and admonishes a complete invasion of privacy, and it leads people to their more and even most covetous, prideful, self-aware, jealous and smallest selves. I think it's part of why my generation is less motivated, less together (relationally and financially and humanly), less courteous, and more reliant on the social capital of "knowing the right people" rather than the moral capital of doing the right things. I think facebook does way more harm than good. I've seen it destroy many more friendships and relationships and discipline than I've seen it do something for the common good. Anyone who disagrees, I think, is crazy.

We had a earthquake , hurricane and tornado all in one week! Binghamton flooded worse than in 2006.

Two things - the killing of Osama Bin Laden and the hurricane that hit New York. The killing of Bin Laden really knocked me back; it came from nowhere and scared the hell out of me. There were people celebrating in the streets which sickened me. Yes, he was an incredibly evil man but celebrating the death of any human is sick. It's also made me more apprehensive - this "War on Terror" is far from over. The hurricane that hit New York also shook me to the core. One of the world's richest states, and the world's richest country, practically grounded by nature. It proved to me - as did Katrina - that money and power is nothing compared to the power of nature. The entire east coast of America could've been wiped off the map. I don't think people took it as seriously as they should have. Nature is a powerful thing... Respect it.

This year was the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and since it is also my birthday, it is a difficult day - don't really want to celebrate my birthday on a day in which such horrific things happened.

The earthquake in Japan- it was brought home how there are other countries in the world are still carrying prejudices from historical actions that were committed long ago.

I can't really say that any one thing has impacted me on a personal level. The ongoing reccession is a concern especially the crisis of Greece nearly being bankrupt and the resulting fallout that will cause across Europe. However I read an article in todays Times (1/10/11) that stated the world is not in full recession and the world economy is actually growing. Countries like China, Africa and the east are economies that are growing well. So it bodes well for the future. Whenever there are problems with economy it boosts inventiveness. (necessity being the mother of invention)

i believe the protests in Egypt, the combination of woman, man and child out in a square named for liberation. Tahrir square became the epicentre of the arab spring. i can only hope that this refreshing awakening of a democratic movement will revive a placated north american society. fingers crossed that the occupywallstreet movement has legs!

I guess the Arab Spring has. I wanted to go back to Israel but when it seemed like the region was too unstable, I decided not to. It's been almost a year, and while the new Arab governments still have a long ways to go, the region is pretty stable. I feel comfortable going back to Israel. More importantly, I feel that the region is capable of working towards positive change. The Middle East has been dominated by self-involved dictators for so long and it's nice to know that the ordinary people are getting fed up with their leaders' antics and want to work to change their country for the better. I hope they all succeed and are able to create better lives for themselves.

The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has had a substantial impact; it doesn't fix the problem of federal discrimination entirely, but it feels like a good step toward being viewed as fully human and as a full citizen.

This is a really hard one. I feel like events in the world are impinging on me - and my world - all the time. Every time islamization is denied or not confronted, I feel like a noose is tightening ...

I don't want to read this next year and wonder where my head was... but, the BP Oil Spill affected me, not because of the trauma or the magnitude of suffering or any of that. It was because for the first time I really felt that I could see politics, spin, and real corporate heartlessness in action and not be able to do anything about it. I felt sheer powerlessness in watching the desire in many people in power not to do what is right, but to do what is least expensive. And to know there will be no consequences, that those people will take just enough public knuckle-rappings to appease the masses until we forget. By then, that person will have already been shuffled to another corporation as a consultant or be making millions on speaking or book tours. As a person who worries most days about what my future will hold, watching these people devastate the lives of so many living things with little to no etch on their conscience was devastating to me.

So many have. More importantly, with the development of the internet and social media, it seems like we really get the true human stories, without filters, and at least for me it hits home even more. The shootings/bombings in Oslo obviously hit home more than anything, because of how much family lives there. Luckily none of them were hurt, but it was a huge scare for us.

The increase in violent gang crime in Mexico - in particular, the rush hour dumping of 35 bodies on a Mexican highway. I heard a story this past week on NPR about teachers going on strike in Acapulco because they were threatened with violence if they didn't give area gang leaders money. Local police captains are being murdered, witnesses that speak out are in grave danger. I just wonder if the violence is so high that it will never be contained and when or if that violence will spread to the US.

The recession. For the first time in my 25 year career I see a huge lull in my work. Although it's a bit scary from a financial standpoint, I'm looking at it as an opportunity to re-invent and re-commit to the aspects of my work that are passion-driven, not money-driven.

When Osama bin Laden was killed I felt very conflicted. I was at school in DC and that night DC went nuts. Everyone was rejoicing and being very patriotic. I was conflicted celebrating someone´s death even though it was bin Laden.

The financial crisis that resulted after 9/11 made Osama's prediction true to me ~ the US has suffered economically and now politically we are moving to a new position as a world power in decline. Aspects to this leveling of the national playing field do not concern me except to the degree that my children's freedoms may be impacted. It feels Darwinian and we have too long considered ourselves to be above natural selection influences. Does nature/the cosmos have a plan? Who knows? Our 300 yr. country is young; many civilizations have preceeded us and fallen in similar ways. Our hubris is gettin' humbled. As a nation we are numbed by our day to day distractions that allow other nations to move forward. It is Machiavellian and predictable. Television is hypnotic and we are entranced away from focus on relevant issues.....sports, fashion, celebrities ~ just a few ways we are directed away from our decline.

Flooding in New England. I live here and have been in love with this part of the world since discovering it as a teenager. The devastation in Vermont, a simple place of grand beauty, aches my heart each time I think about it.

The major earthquake that struck in Christchurch,NZ in February.Although I live in Wellington my customer account was based there.Hearing people you have been working with saying that they have lost their homes,businesses,schools,churches,community centres and seeing a country standing together in the face of adversity was nothing short of amazing. Seeing people looking at all they have loved and lost and still having the courage to carry on,this has been life altering.

The Tsunami in Japan. One of my close friends has a father who works over there near the nuclear reactors and this made a huge event like that very personal. His dad was okay, but it makes you realize that even big catastrophes like that, half-way around the world, can still have an impact on you.

The last space shuttle did their mission and was retired. It was really the end of the US space program as we know it. It made me think back to the time I was like 7 years old and watched the Apollo mission from our auditorium at Devonshire St. Elementary. I remember growing up watching the evening news with the astronauts and drinking Tang and eating freeze dried foods. I was happy to hear that one of the shuttles I'd being retired to LA as an honor for what SoCal contributed to the program. It is an end to an era. Our country will have to decide our next plan and if we will have the dollars to pursue it.

I don't think globally. I'm pretty sure I answered the same way last year. I just can't, with all of the small but accumulating stresses in my life, I can hardly lift my head up, let alone have coherent thoughts about a global event. I guess the economic downturn is an obvious answer. My husband's working longer hours, pressing me about doing the same.

The Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. It was horrifying to see so many people dead, families torn apart and entire communities destroyed. The risk of having another Chernobyl was also really scary and it was the reaction of the Japanese people that struck me most. You could see very calm people waiting in lines to get water, very polite and respectful, hurt, but not letting the rest be affected by one's negative feelings. I admire that attitude, I admire the elderly people who volunteered to refrigerate the nuclear plant in Fukushima. They are heros, ordinary heros.

This may sound stupid but when Amy Winehouse died I was surprisingly sad. Though a horrible role model to young children, she had a pure voice and she had a real soul. When she believed in something, she let the world know (not in a Lady Gaga way, but you know what I mean). She will be greatly missed and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest voices.

I think the 9/11 anniversary was big in my life. I asked lots of questions and learnt a lot about it. I spent the night watching shows about it and googling the bits I didn't understand. I was interested.

What has this year contained? The Arab Spring? The repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell? The deep disappointments of the Obama administrations and wild downward spiral of the financial crisis? The wrongful execution of Troy Davis? Europe in impossible debt? For me this year felt like the warning bells of another great world crisis and maybe even world change. Of course, this sense has dovetailed (not) nicely with the uncertainty in my own life. What has the incredible deception, misinformation, stress, and lack of generosity in my on-and-off job offer at the Du Bois Institute had to do with the recession and Harvard's hiring freeze? And what of it has simply had to do with the Institute's longstanding politics of fear? In any case, it seems as though everyone is suddenly beginning to perceive America's weakness. It is not well-positioned to take on the challenges of the future, and my generation will be the one that bears the pain of this transition from superpower to... what? I feel a pioneer's growing commitment to self-reliance but underneath is sorrow and despair and confusion about how much I should be asking of my country, and how much I should be doing for it.

I don't know what it was, but I suddenly found a love for cultural babies. I decided I most likely want to do a gap year or study abroad in Africa and help the children in poverty. Or Israel. I want to make a direct impact on someone's life and be able to leave the world feeling like I have done something to benefit.

Wrapped up in my own little world and bubble, I forgot that of the people around me. A failure. A change for next year I hope.

The economy starting to look up has definitely impacted me rather directly. A better economy means more people traveling, more people traveling means more hotel use, and thus more cleaning to be done there.

I pay a lot of attention to world events and find that they all impact me, in one way or the other toward doing what I can to make a positive difference in the world. More than anything, I think world events remind me that we're all part of one human world and right now we're letting the bullies run things and have made "smart" so "uncool" that we're electing leaders and decision makers who are doing really dumb things for our world.

Death of Osama bin Laden. Good to know that the US can actually accomplish something we're determined to do, even if it takes 10 years. What a relief that this particular chapter is closed, even though the 'war on terrorism' will probably never end.

There wasn´t only one; the earthquakes in Japan, Chile and Haiti were all pretty much impressing. Even considering the different economic situation of each country, there was a common factor: human impotence in front of nature´s power. Something to be cosidered and to take us to deep reflexion. Also, the world economic crash showed how greed is leading us to disaster, and made clear that capitalism is dead and human race has to figure out a new way of surviving.

I think I was really upset by the multiple earthquakes in Christchurch. It was so close to home, and there were so many sad stories. THe trauma to the children must have been very hard for parents and schools to cope with. As with many disasters, I admired the tenancity and resiliency of the new Zealand people.

The "Spring Revolution" in Islamic states. Living in the Mideast in the past and dialoguing with moderate Muslims here in the States has let me know that there are many Muslims who desire the lived ideals of democracy and equality for men and women, but feared the repercussions of advocating openly for this in totalitarian countries. The fact that there was a groundswell of support (and mostly non-violent expression, on the part of the protesters) for such ideals was not only heartening but inspiring to me. It made me reflect on what I need to be advocating for, even at risk to my own comfort and security. Stepping outside of the comfort zone and taking risks for the right things can yield enormous payoff.

The 10th anniversary of September 11th, which made me relive the awfulness of that day. I also gave a radio interview about my experience of 9/11.

This has been the most difficult question to answer so far, which probably says a lot about how myopic world is. I don't know if I can really say any world event has affected me this year.

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 really hit home. I remember clearly where I was on the day it happened, and though I was in second grade, I understood that something big had taken place. The night before 9/11/11, my parents and I watched a replay of the live news coverage from 9/11/01, and I nearly broke down. I realized that my grandchildren are going to ask me, "Were you alive when that happened?" And I think the memorial at Ground Zero is so poetic and so beautiful.

The OWS protest, because it shows me that other people are as upset about the economy as I am.

Many world have events have impacted me. This year, the killing of Osama Bin Laden was a moving event, particularly in how it elicited a certain kind of solemn response from countries all over the world. I was amazed as I watched the wold react to a battle that has affected many and left a deep wound here at home. Most interesting was the difference in reactions. For some, there was relief, for others fear; and still others a wave of revenge couldn't help but flow through them – all indicative of how this man's mark on the world has left us all feeling different than everyone else. As me move forward, I'm hopeful we can take from this moment a sense of unity and purpose-driven progress, not at the expense of others, but rather for the sake of individual and national betterment. It's an opportunity for our world to get a little smaller and huddled together, hence my reason for fascination from this event.

10th Anniversary of 9/11. I was in New York that day and in my early twenties. The anguish, terror, and distinct feeling that my life had utterly changed is still palpable today. I mourn my innocence and the carnage I witnessed, and that which followed.

The man who killed all those children at the childrens camp and the civilians on his way. While I may not remember the country he was from, this event impacted me greatly about my thoughts on humanity. I never thought that one individual could do so much damage and hurt to the whole world.

Probably the biggest "world event" that impacted me was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11/01 terrorism. This was also the one year anniversary of the death of my mother in law. My sister was living & working in NYC on the day of the attack, so I had a personal connection to that day - the sheer panic & terror of not knowing where she was and not being able to find her for several hours (she called me). I found myself reflecting on the different impact of each. Both were profound days for me in their own way.

The 10th anniversary of September 11th impacted me greatly. It was very emotional remembering the moment that our vice principle announced over the loud speaker that planes had crashed in to the World Trade Center and it was believed to be a terrorist attack. It didn't seem possible. I literally thought it was just an accident. At first. And then the terror of realizing my dad had been flying that day, and the relief of realizing he was okay and already at my grandma's in england. This was the first time I ever watched the footage of the people jumping from the buildings, I never could bring myself to do it before. I still have not watched the towers fall, it just seems too much for me to bear, I'm not sure why. I don't think it's something that will ever not be emotional. It is my generation's Pearl Harbor. For future generations, it will just be a date to remember, but for those of us who lived it, it will be a date to never forget.

The Japan earthquake was really a shock for me. Somehow, I thought that Japan had built earthquake-proof everything since WWII. When reports of the tremendous devastation started to reach us here, I was absolutely shocked, both at the terrible damage and at the strength of the quake. When the nuclear power station became so unstable, it was really terrifying. I lived through Three Mile Island, but didn't appreciate just how close we came to destruction. This time, I was all too aware of the potential for total disaster. The world is so fragile, and so interconnected; I'm much more conscious of the impact of my lifestyle on the ecosystem and on other humans.

This worldly event has not happened, may not happen, while it is the new happening.. Everyone is saying 2012 will change everything.. Does it say this in the Torah somewhere, coded and bundled ? At work, over the neighbors fence and on Discovery Channel.. Is it something we should be concerned with?

The Japan earthquakes and tsunami. Watching the footage of complete towns being washed away and people running for their lives showed just how powerful mother nature can be and how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things. Yet here we are still trying to control our environment rather than just recognising our place and being at one with it. We continue forcing the human made way of life down the throat of this planet. Will we never learn.

The the tsunami in Japan was felt keenly by myself, and all who live in Hawaii. We were on tsunami alert ourselves, which is always nerve racking. Do we pack up the kids, pets, and most important belongings and head for the hills? Or do we sit tight and hope the experts are right that we are just outside the inundation zone? We are connected to Japan both financially and culturally. Many people in Hawaii are of Japanese ancestry. Everyone here grieved for their tragedy.

well, I'm not all into the worldy mayhem- mostly my own! :) I'm in a deep recovery process, so unlocking a lot of the mysteries of who I am versus who I thought I was supposed to be is pretty AWESOME

The malaise of the U.S. economy really affected me this year. Many of my friends and colleagues were laid off this year and many who were laid off in 2010 are still looking for jobs at the end of 2011. It has made me much more conscious of my debts and my blessings. It has also made me even more interested in politics. This country needs real change and a rebirth of its economic engine.

the 10th anniversary of 911....when I see pictures of children that were born after their parents died and they never got a chance to meet their own parents it makes me very sad and reminds me of just how much we need to cherish every second we live and we shouldn't take the people in our lives for granted...we should cherish these moments and people.

The last election which impacted so many mid western and eastern states.

The worlds' events have very little impact on my life. Mostly because there is noting I can do but watch from the side-lines are all the violence, terror and destruction. I was very excited to see the event in Egypt, in the hope that a democratic, sane, government would come from the ashes of dictatorship, but once again I was enormously disappointed to see this new hope dissolve into yet another threat to Israel. Every year we "pray for peace", and yet all we receive is violence. It is so much easier to just turn off the television and play Angry Birds, but then again, more violence! The 10th anniversary of 9/11 was both impressive and depressing. Not that so many died, but that we, as a country, lost so much more than a few thousand lives. Had we remained strong, none of us would need to be strip searched just getting on a plane. We went from a nation of strength and respect under President Reagan, to one of weakness and disdain in the eyes of the world. I fear that history will view these past 10 years in a very ugly light, and unfortunately, I don't have a lot of hope that much will change. Not for my children, or my grandchildren, or for THEIR grandchildren. So, the world can do what the world would like to do, I do not care one way or the other. The sun comes up in the morning, the sun sets at night, and the ocean waves continue to flow with the tide. I just hope that the nuts of the human race don't one day hit the button and destroy it all.

War, War, War. Argue, Argue, Argue. War with countries who scare us and arguing politicians who should scare us. When will we find peace? When can we be at peace? When can we live in peace? I can not point to one event but the flavor of recent events is bitter indeed.

The Christmas Snowstorm of 2010 brought Atlanta and us our first White Christmas in my memory. Although I think I experienced them as a child, I don't recall them. It was so joyous to have such a gift! The kids and I went outside a few weeks beforehand, looked up in the sky and pleaded with our recently departed Gandalf the White's sweet soul to exercise some of his influence and bring us snow. We truly felt that such a glorious soul, too early departed, would carry such weight with nature. And Gandalf came through! First White Christmas for Atlanta in 127 years!

I think the bushfires and floods that occurred across Victoria and Queensland made an impact on me. Somehow, NSW (where I live) skipped over all the natural disasters. Watching all the travesty on the news made me realise just how lucky I am and how I shouldn't take a single day for granted.

I think what has affected me the most was the tsunami in Japan and the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. These affected me more than usual because as a teacher, I shared those moments with my students. We watched videos and discussed the events and how they affected things. Especially while talking about September 11th, I realized the impact I was having on my students. They were 5 or 6 when September 11th happened and there was a LOT they were not aware of. I was their main source of information, literally the bearer of bad news. This year has been full of natural disasters, nationally and locally. The tornado in Joplin, Missouri, the Japan tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the great flood in our own region- all examples of how things are falling apart and life is not guaranteed.

The assasination of Osama Ben Ladin made me question my views about murder. I felt he was purely evil but I did not want my children to be triumphant because he had been killed. I was tremendously conflicted and still have not resolved this issue.

The miners in Chile that were trapped down, in the earth for several days. They were strong and had to stay mentally well even without knowing if they would be saved.

The conviction of the 10 Irvine students makes me think makes me feel good that there are people willing to stand up for civility, and that the censoring of others will not be tolerated.

There wasn't one single event that effected me. Everything just seemed to roll on together. And I'm truly glad that I haven't had anything major world events this year that have affected me.

The earthquake etc in Japan. It really brought it home how differently we all see the world, as we are, not necessarily as it is. I was amazed by the calm and dignity displayed by the people, and heartbroken by all the animals dead, starving or injured. And last but not least how organisations like Heartmath really made an impact with their structuring masses to holding space for those affected.

The meltdown in Japan. It's a horrible thing and we need to all recycle, press for investment in clean technology by the government and stricter controls on the power plants that are active.

August 23, 2011....for the first time in my life the earth below shook. An Earthquake measuring 5. 8 hit the nation's capital. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was half a mile deep. Shaking was felt at the White House and all over the East Coast, as far south as Chapel Hill, N.C. As my work building was evacuated and folks were pouring out of all buildings downtown, i realized how other places and people in the world felt when it happened to them. It came to mind that we all must do a better job in caring for our environment because if we don't it will not be here for much longer.

In May of this year Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. Special forces. I did not, and will not celebrate his death, but the closure that it brought to the attack on 9/11/01 was something to celebrate. It gave the country a surge of patriotism that I had never before experienced.

The small earth quake and it made me see how un attached I am to my family and the world about if a disaster where to happen. I guess I got to see another part of myself, that I am not sure how to interpurte. I see shows and news emails about helping people and I am detached. I guess I think I do not make a difference. And I am seeing parts of me that I hide that I need to see so I can hopefully change within me and get to where I'd like to be. I see how much I might be repressing inside of me.

I was home on maternity leave during the bulk of the coverage of the ousting of Hosni Mubarak. I was able to call up al Jazeera English online and watch the coverage. I am a student of Middle Eastern History and getting a glimpse of people taking action for themselves was humbling to say the least. I don't know how exactly the world will continue to evolve over the next year or how I'll really feel about this response when I reopen it. I have as always great respect for the multitude of people doing battle for themselves in the Middle East right now.

This year... the News of the World phone-hacking scandal was pretty influential on me. The past year showed me a little bit about how organizations are run, and how the "real world" works. I saw how appearances are related (in varying degrees) with reality, and how things are rarely exactly as they appear to be. This scandal upset me because of the magnitude, and also of it's nature--as a media scandal, but communicated through media, even the mode of communication was suspect. I felt like I wasn't sure which sources to trust, or how to interpret what I was reading, through all the biases. I knew the truth was out there, but that it was being distorted, miscommunicated, or poorly handled. And I also kind of accepted that this is how the world goes. It was sobering. I don't meant to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I realized more acutely than I had before that such things can happen.

The Arab Spring both inspired hope for a better Middle East, and terror for a worse one.

The Arab Spring. Professionally, it has meant that I have no students this fall. Personally, it puts a lot more up in the air - for Israelis in general it increases the uncertainty factor.

Wikileaks. I can't believe the crackdown and slander that went on. The tsunami and nuclear meltdown in Japan. Either say you don't know or tell the absolute truth. The assassination of Osama Bin Laden made me sick and scared.

The ten-year anniversary of 9/11. The big event might not have been so recent, but the effects of it still linger. As a NYer, I still feel the pain of the tragedy that took place that day and it absolutely blows my mind that it happened 10 years ago. It still, deep in my heart, hurts.

The floods here in Binghamton. Back at home, we get tornadoes. And never this much rain. You always hear about this sort of thing happening in other places. But to be in the middle of it? To know people who have been emotionally and physically damaged by this event, for the second time in 5 years. It's hard to grasp the concept.

The death of Osama Bin Laden. While the success of the mission was something to celebrate, the death of a human, no matter how brutal he was, is never something to rejoice about. I was especially perplexed at the mixed reactions around the world. Many people felt that Christians were overly excited about his death and that was far from the truth. Most of us felt pity and remorse for his death. In all, it was a very troubling realization.

I was in Springfield shortly before a tornado hit the city, and watched it pass in front of me. I was safe, but many others had homes destroyed. It was certainly a reminder about how precarious things are, even though we try to maintain a sense of things being steady and stable.

Home Mortgage foreclosure. In 2007, I signed on to a loan where the rep. told me we would re-fi. before my payment more than doubled. A lot changed in the financial world between 2007-2010. In Dec. 2010, my mortgage payment went from $1800 a month to $3800! I'm retired and couldn't make the payment. I tried to work with the bank for a loan modification and was denied. I am looking at eviction. Happy New Year! To be honest, I built this situation and take full responsibility. I'm looking forward to having this chapter put behind me!

The tenth anniversary of September 11th. While it was a day of remembering and honoring those who died, it was also a reminder that we're still in a war, we're still killing both soldiers and civilians in the Middle East, as well as other parts of the world. It was a reminder that the United States isn't as great, powerful, or mighty as it thinks it is. We're all human.

all thr rucus in the us congress and how us government appears to the world.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 this year. I was shocked that 10 years have passed. It seems so short and so long, all at the same time. Ten years of a war that is unwillable. Ten years of body bags, threat levels, and decreasing civil liberties. I support the soldiers, but not the war. To brag about stalking and assinating a villan does not bring pride to my country. I am ashamed. The population suffers at the hands of the military, The number of homeless is every increasing, as are the ranks of the uninsured, unemployed and poor. There is something fundamnetally wrong with a system that cannot invest it the most valued asset--people.

When Iran's president pretty much told people he wanted to finish what Hitler started and kill all of the Jews. I also don't understand how he can think that the Holocaust did not happen. Did 11 million people suddenly disappear? That doesn't happen. It just makes no sense to me. It also hits pretty close to home since I am Jewish.

The political situation in Wisconsin upset my view of the world. I could not believe how quickly policies could be overturned. It motivated me to get involved in the election process again. I started signing petitions, calling elected offices holders, reaching out to voters, and making limited donations. I get angry when someone states the American people want "this" when I am 100% against the opinion they are fronting. I agree some people may want to move the country in a certain direction but don't purpose to represent my viewpoint. I understand that grass root action is necessary if I want to keep the US to follow a progressive road.

The ongoing battle between the Republican and Democratic party members. We can't agree on anything...no positive movement...no resolution of problems....and people in our country are suffering from lack of health care, food, housing, jobs.

I recently heard that the governor of an island in myhome country has a plan to exterminate all of the homeless dogs of the island. Badly. in this century plagued by information an ignorant with power can exterminate a being that feels as humans do and who does not cause harm to anyone, sort of a Hitler but species this time.

I was affected by the Arab Spring, but not quite the way that most people think... I am very nervous because the "Spring" may end up being a very cold "Winter" event. I fear that the radical - anti semetic - parts of the Arab populations will win out and that will make it much more difficult for Jews, Israel and the US (in that order). I worry that what comes to replace the Mubarak's of the Arab world will not be so interested in avoiding conflict - and that we may just find the world a lot more difficult.

The tensions and turmoil in Israel have impacted me this year since I visited the IDF base and saw firsthand the soldiers who fight to protect our homeland.

The earthquake in D.C. that affected New York, because all of my family lives there.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11, although I didn't do anything special to honor the day- in fact, I went apple picking. But thinking about 10 years, and me being only 22, well, that's a long time for me. It's half of my life, and I can't help but reflect on how much I've changed since that day, and also how little progress we seem to have made in the world. For me, personally, it's been all uphill since age twelve. I hope that some day soon my country and the world at large will take a turn for the better as well.

The economic crisis because my father and I have both been out of work most of the year.

The emotions of the economic depression have crept their way into my life. They are putting a massive pressure on the middle class to actually stay one. Many things affect my life everyday, it is important for me to choose the ones I feel a need to grab on to. Over stimulation, can be just as frustrating as under stimulation.

What's happening in the world? My own little world is so small and chaotic. Since I don't have a TV and hardly listen to the radio anymore, I have no idea. I almost don't feel like it matters, but I guess in some small way it must. I guess, since I am a law-abiding citizen who is mostly apathetic about world events, this question is N/A.

I think that it is hard for me to tease out one world event to describe the impact on me. There were so many tragedies- the earth quake, tsunami and on-going nuclear disaster in Japan; on-going problems in Haiti; hurricane Irene; the fires in Texas; the on-going conflicts in the middle east/Asia with the accompanying violence against women; there are so many that this year has been traumatic for those of us who care about those who are acutely impacted. It seems to be an inundation of human-caused, and some natural, catastrophes. I am working on changing my feeling of being overwhelmed into action.

The Palestinian - Israeli conflict - although it fluctuates, I really do care about the political situation. I worry a lot about the implications of major decisions there.

I've been pretty cut off from the world in this first full year as a new mom!

The stampede in Phenom Pehn Cambodia. More than 300 people died. It was horrific. I was in Siem Reap, I almost went down to Phenom Pehn for the water festival, where it happened. But I was told that it would be really crowded and to give it a miss. The crazy thing was that so many people in the west never even heard about it. Over 300 people died, and westerners barely even heard about it. I mourned together with the people of Cambodia, and felt their sorrow.

Rising gas prices seriously caused me to quit (2) out-of-town jobs and find something closer to home. Luckily, I love my new job, five blocks from my house!

The Casey Anthony trial has saddened me greatly . There is great concern about the economic crisis in America . I see it as a direst result of extreme moral decay and selfish lazy living ,exemplified by Casey. This young woman is no more guilty than a woman who aborts her child third term , both are reprehensible . That the public hates her and accepts the woman who killed her child through abortion is a clear indication of the wandering boundaries of moral sensibilities prevalent today , young people have no clear and secure guidelines , families which should be a haven for the young are as stable as water leaving them nowhere to turn but to drugs and transient pleasures. This reflects in the economy and everywhere else .It worries me greatly.

Arab Spring. While I believe people deserve to be self-represented and have a good life for themselves and their children, the assertions of the citizens of the Arab countries simultaneously threatens Israel and our access to the Kotel.

The earthquake in Japan was kind of a big deal. It just opened my eyes to how horrible things can get. Japan was down for a long time. It was more measurable that the Haitian earthquake for example because it affected us.

The string of elections where people took to the streets and successfully overthrew regimes in the middle east and elsewhere.

The impasse over raising the debt ceiling. I was bitterly disappointed in the way President Obama gave in to the irresponsible brinksmanship of the Republican leadership. The most vulnerable sectors of our economy are harmed as a result, while the billionaires remain untouched by any crisis.

The Arab Spring has been a really powerful influence on my life. It has shown that, in spite of our learned powerlessness, individuals - regular citizens - can and do hold regimes in their sway when their efforts are united. It makes me wonder what might be possible in the United States if we gave up on our apathy and indifference and took to the streets to demand the progress that our government holds back with all its partisan quibbling.

The earthquake & tsunami in Japan have opened my eyes to the dangers we face with our technology. We deal with things we are not able to control.

Is it bad that I can't think of one event that impacted me this year?

The earthquake in Japan. My friend amanda was there, and it was terrifying to not hear from her for a few days. Also, as always human trafficking in Africa. It is something that breaks my heart. I am training to work with these amazing survivors! And dream of the day that this horrible story is ended.

The tenth anniversary of 9/11, coming as it did in the middle of Elul, approaching the Days of Awe and the tenth anniversary of my father's death, has me particularly reflective about the world and what the adults are doing as a "legacy" for our children. All the children of the world deserve better than what we are leaving to them. the leaders of the world, regardless of the nation, "Never seem to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."

Thinking about this question I realized the first things I tried to think of were negative - it didn't occur to me to try to think of positive world events. Were there any positive events in the world this year? hmmm. Will and Kate got married. ? The Wisconsin Democrats leaving the state really energized me, made me hopeful that there are people of principle in positions of power. DADT being retired. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's rally for sanity. These all filled me with hope.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11. 9/11 is my birthday and I clearly remember everything about that day...but what I remember most is how unaffected I felt about it then...I was so self absorbed as a senior year college student. On the anniversary, I cried and grieved for that day. For what it meant for our country. For the families affected. For the firemen and policemen on duty. For my twin sons future. I think motherhood has opened my heart to a whole new understanding of the world.

The Arab spring has been pretty big for me to watch. It's absolutely inspiring to watch people who have faced unimaginable resistance fight for their dignity is a beacon to all those lost in the sea of dehumanization and adversity.

Company acquisition - - Consumed significant amount of time and energy - challenging situation with what appears to be limited long term benefits

The final justice for 9-11...Bin Ladin is dead.

I got mugged today. It goes to show that you really can't trust anyone. This makes me quite sad. Though I also have to smile because I'm physically fine and healthy, so I really didn't lose anything other than a couple of material possessions. I acted quickly to cancel all bank accounts. I'm just happy that I can somehow laugh at it.

I think the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 was significant for me. I realize it was ten years ago, but seeing all the images again, hearing the stories of survivors and those who knew victims of the tragedy... brought the event back for me. I was at a significant place in my life 10 years ago - happily married and trying to conceive a baby. My last AI procedure was on 9/11/01. The terrorist attacks helped me put everything in perspective: now matter how important your life's problems are, there is always something bigger. That day made the world seem like it was going to end and maybe in some ways it did. Nothing was the same again. Now, ten years later, I'm a proud mama of a beautiful adopted girl - and divorced. You just never know what is going to happen. Maybe it is important to always remember this...and out of tragedy, good things can come to be. Maybe as time goes on, we can see this more clearly. Maybe I still need to wait for my good things to come.

The Tsunami in Japan was devastating. It made me sit right up and take notice of just how fragile life is -- how nature can rise up and take us out. How even a strong, industrialized nation -- like Japan -- is at the mercy of nature.

The tsunami in Japan. Watching the water roll over the northern Japan town showed how insignificant we are against nature yet I also felt the power of the Japanese people. Man will try again to live where disaster hits Man will use the tools granted and choose to live.

I really noticed the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. That means it's been 10 years since I moved to Colorado, looking to change my life. It was good to reflect on the past decade - I hoped to make a difference in a kid's life, and that has really happened. No regrets...

GFC. it shows that greed rules the world and that our leaders have little visions....and that being a doctor will not make me millions, but I earn a good living and doing what I love. Moral of the story. Healing people is more worthwhile than shuffling money in the market. And someone up there agrees

This past year was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Usually for me the anniversary is sad but not memorable, however, this year something just changed and I just had an extreme love for our country and felt extremely connected. I view our country in a more appreciative way now.

Japanese Tsunami: I feel like humanity's existence is so fragile and everything we do on this planet is having greater impact on others. Israel's conflict with Palestinians/Arab countries: I am worried about the existence of Israel and its ability to co-exist with its neighbors. We need more people like Eliyahu McLean and Yehudah Stolov to bridge the gap and bring humanity back into the picture.

The federal debt crisis was pretty traumatic. But I'm not sure how it has affected me, other than making me disgusted with Congress.

I was very surprised when they showed the original film from 9/11 a few days before the 10th anniversary and I cried. I didn't expect that.

The 10th anniversary 9/11 brought back many feelings that I thought were gone. I was living in Pittsburgh at the time and it was so surreal being so close to the various places that were targeted.

I find things impacting me less and less. I'm not nearly as much of an activist anymore. It makes me kind of sad. I feel like I'm losing the things that make me feel confident in myself. Losing the things that I used to believe in.

the drug war in Mexico and it's spreading into Guatemala - humans causing such human suffering.

The earthquakes in Japan. Hashem keeps sending them messages but they don't listen. He is the only G-d, they rely on their idols. I hope this county won't need as many or as severe of messages to turn back.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 upset me because they made such a big deal out of it just for that particular milestone. The people who lost loved ones felt the same on the 9th anniversary and will fell that way again next year on the 11th anniversary. Civility and compassion need to be an every day thing. These "big memorials" I think are mostly a show to help other people feel good about themselves. Where are all the people who came out to donate blood right after 9/11? It would be so interesting to see how many of them still come with any regularity...

Leiby Kletzky being murdered. I don't think i need to describe how or why.

We have witnessed so many natural disasters this year, all over the world. It reminds me how fragile our planet as whole is and how much we really do take for granted. When we see infrastructures crumbling worldwide you can't help but take a moment and count your blessings. It is heartbreaking that so many people have lost so much and it forces you to think about how prepared you are and how many times this week have you told the people you love how much they mean to you.

Having friends in Japan made me see the earthquake and tsunami in a different way. I had the opportunity to talk with them when they were visiting here several months after the impact. As a child psychologist, my friend did a lot of volunteer/service work, and he talked about the sorts of things I wouldn't have known to think of: the risk of loneliness and suicide long after the initial event -- when people move into new homes and start to realize that *this is the way things are now* and simultaneously lose touch with the community that they'd built up while living in shelters.

The current political quagmire in Washington (especially the debt ceiling and deficit battles) has scared me deeply for perhaps the first time about whether we'll be able to pull ourselves out of an approaching crisis. Global political uncertainty feels like it is higher than ever, and we are floating towards the edge of an economic fall here at home. It's easy to imagine being plunged into a global economic crisis by some new world event, and us being in a very bad position to get out of it anytime soon. My survival instincts have been triggered by this fear.

I think the nuclear disaster in Japan as a result of their earthquake is the biggest event in the last year. Hopefully it will make people think twice about nuclear power.

The protesters in Tahrir Square come immediately to mind. The first footage I saw was from the night the police fell back and let the military take over. I couldn't believe I was watching such a dictatorial regime lose its grip on power -- I couldn't take my eyes off of Al Jazeera's coverage. It was beautiful and stunning and gave me chills. Of course, all of the demonstrations and rebellions that are part of the Arab Spring have been incredible -- from Tunisia to Egypt to Bahrain to Syria to Lybia to Yemen and beyond. It is amazing to watch change sweep through the region, but at the same time, it is a little frightening to face all the uncertainty that these movements have unleashed. Revolution is inherently difficult to direct and nobody knows where all of this is going to lead. The optimist in me wants to believe that the voice of the ordinary people can't be wrong, but I am also all too aware of the anti-Israel sentiment that courses through the Arab street. I worry for my family in Israel as well as for all those ordinary people in the Middle East who just want to live their lives in peace.

The repeal of DADT. It is just stupid for someone to not be able to serve their country just because of their sexuality. It gives me hope. Hope that people, America, and the world will not judge someone just because of their sexual orientation. It should be a non-issue.

The situation with Japan, because my second cousin has family over there, and that freaking terrified me. She thought she lost them for a good week or so before they could communicate with her. Thank God they are okay.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2011. I saw a lot of media coverage, and though much of the coverage didn't impact me, one piece did. The New York Times ran a piece featuring the artifacts survivors of the attacks saved- their mementos and memories. People saved ashes and debris, clothing, paper. It was so moving and startling, and made me think of the real people who died, and lived, on that day. It is incredible to think how strongly this event has shaped a generation.

Fukushima earth quake. The nuclear melt down, concomitant with the false consciousness of the Japanese govt, really drove home how we are on the edge of unraveling. The BP oil spill was the first glimpse of the hemorrhaging wounds that we struggle to redress. But the Japanese catastrophe is such a dark/ominous harbinger. Denki Yoho and Tenki Yoho == oy oy oy

I'm surprised at how little compassion I feel for the Haitians that caused their own landslides by deforesting their side of the island. I tried to care, but just couldn't get over the stupidity of short-term gain without concern for long-term cost. A lot like the financial mess the banks have gotten the planet into. In another way, my fiscal Conservatism is being pushed closer to Liberalism by those same dirty banking bastards that have ruined our economy and cost me over $170,000 in investments and lost property value. The protests and lawsuits are reawakening in me the blue collar "us vs. them" tendencies I tried to put away when I started college 10 years ago.

the tsunami in japan has impacted me this year because it made me realize that ive been taking life for granted and i don't know when i'll stop breathing, so i should make the most out of everyday and spend it being happy rather than moping around on things that haven't worked out for me. :)

osama bin ladin was killed this past year. It didnt impact me directly, but because it was directed by obama it made me feel like the Jewish people actually had the support of the united states. It as a proud day to be Jewish to know that the person who has been killing millions of innocent people and one of your religions most targeted threat is finally dead. This incident made me even more proud to be Jewish!

I've tried not to keep up with the news anymore because it makes me feel down and morbid. There has been too many idiotic people who take human lives for granted and have no regards how they hurt others. Also the earthquake in Japan because I have several friends who live in Japan and I was really worried about them all, luckily they are all fine.

I think the assassination of Bin Laden has impacted me and many others this year. While it makes me feel a little boastful ("we got him") as a nation it still makes me realize that we're not as safe as we were September 10, 2001. I realize there are still evil people in the world, and we're still fighting a war and fighting for people to have the freedom that many of us take for granted. I am thankful for our service men and women and for our founding fathers and that I'm lucky enough to live in America. Many many many others are not so blessed. One event brings all these mixed emotions forward for me.

The belligerance of world opinion towards Israel. The crossing of the line between Israel criticism and the denial of a Jewish right to Israel. Not new - but more blunt than ever. The Jewish place in the world returns to a more and more precarious place - while we still fight for the right of the vulnerable, inlcuding the Palestinians. Reconciling these is perplexing.

This summer of 2011 has impacted me with a feeling of loss and sadness. My father in law, cousin Jeremy, and Abuelita passed away with 4 months of each other. These losses have taught me to value my family even more everyday I have left.

The economic situation in the US continues to impact me negatively. It's been incredibly hard to find a job that offers full time, benefits and good pay. I've been working my butt off, 7 days a week, all year and I still struggle. And now I'm without health insurance. At this point I'm pretty much willing to work anywhere. Where's all the "Hope" our president promised?

The only thing that has left an impact on me is the recent discovery of a particle that travels faster than light. I have an interest in physics and I can understand the impact of something like this on the world of physics. It changes our understanding of how the world works and it kinda forces people to now look for other theories. I think it's a pretty big deal, since that means Einstein was wrong. Now I'm just looking forward to the findings being confirmed and to the new theories surfacing.

This year I really started to feel the economic crisis. I saw it turn members of my family against each other and felt a real struggle to make sure I have enough to get by. Through it I felt myself be brought closer to my friends

getting the news that Bin Laden was found and killed impacted me more in kind of a weird way. I have to say that I felt joyous, almost victorious, and full of relief, balanced... like I could exhale a breath I hadn't even known I'd been holding... In reflecting on my reaction I'm aware that it's not necessarily a very peaceful or kind reaction to such an act of violence, yet if I have to be honest I'd say I still feel that way. (... on day 4 of this I'm wondering if all the questions are about "this year"... I have a hard time thinking in terms like that, especially since this is for a year long... not sure if that makes sense but just thought I'd put it out there...)

OSAMA BIN FUCKING LADIN WAS FOUND EFFF YEAHHH KILLING THAT MOTHERFUCKERRRR It was also the 10th anniversary of 9/11, which was sad and awful.

Getting into fights with my parents have really changed everything. The fights are non-stop but they make me stronger. I just have to realize that I can only trust myself and I don't truly need anyone else.

personal event - israel trip, leadership retreat, prelims :( they taught how to try and study non-personal - bin ladens assasination :D

This year was the 10th anniversary of 9/11. There was much hype before hand because there had been threats of another terrorist attack on the anniversary. All day long there were tributes to 9/11 on the news, radio and television. Personally, it was emotional and brought back the day it all happened. I heard a radio tribute of a young girl who was four when her dad died in the Twin Towers. The radio spot had the girl talking to her dad each year and telling him what had happened to her in the past year. I was on my way to work and started crying. It was heartbreaking to remember all the families that lost their loved ones that day. At the same time, I thought it was warming to see the entire United States join together to remember those who had died.

Been thinking this question all day long and the only thing i could think of was the earthquake in Haití, call me ridiculous but i'm still thinking about the end of the world, everyday it's closer, now i'm not sure what's going to be the cause of it, is it a Nuclear War? or just nature fighting agaisnt us? Plus, Haití isn't one of the richest countries in the world, on the opposite, it's one of the poorest and now an earthquake happens, is it a joke? people isn't prepared for that kind of things, not even England or Japan. Something like day could happen any day, we don't even know when is it going to happen, let's just be prepared.

The death of NDP leader Jack Layton. For me the news was such a shock. He was such a charismatic and energetic man and he left such a legacy. It may also be close to home b/c I want to grade school with his kids.

The Chile mine collapse, and subsequent rescue, happened at exactly the same time in the year that I also felt I had fallen into the darkness and needed rescuing. Hearing about their courage, hope, and solidarity that allowed them to survive in the mine during the days before their rescue really gave me hope in a time of darkness.

I think the more important question is how many world events happen that I feel completely insulated from. It is such a paradox of globalization, that in some ways we are all so connected, and in other ways, we may be completely removed from the consequences of our own actions. We buy clothing or food, and we have absolutely no idea whether their production contributed to oppression, poverty, pollution, deforestation. Our elected leaders send our military forces to fight in far-off lands, and honestly, if I don't make an effort to keep abreast, I would have no idea at all that such a thing was happening, and yet it has my tacit support through my election choices, and through my inaction. It seems almost counter-productive to ask which world events affected me -- which one did NOT affect me in some way? But often I am woefully unaware.

The Arab spring was amazing to me...it really seemed like the world just opened up to change. It was inspiring.

The starvation in Somalia. I feed a feral cat colony, here, in Ohio, in the midwest of the US--I've seen what desperation looks like, though not with human parents and children...I know the hopeless look. I try to fix it--there's a craziness that comes with starvation that's heartbreaking. If I had to see it every day with human parents and kids I'd lose my mind. G-d (who I do and don't believe in) bless those who are helping the starving.

I'm not sure this qualifies as an "event" but because the American dollar has been so weak the two times I've traveled abroad everything has gotten much more expensive. The Australian dollar and the Japan yen is much stronger than in the past and therefore the things that I thought was somewhat cheaper before are now way more expensive and not such a good value anymore.

The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. I was obsessed with listening and reading and thinking about the event and all that was lost, and all that has transpired because of it. I remember when it happened and feeling then that that is the end of our country's innocence, and being very angry that this just happened when I finally had a baby. And now, it is so hard to believe that we've been at war since then!

I have been impacted by the recession, because our workforce has been downsized and our new contract included some benefit takeaways and less take-home pay. I still consider myself lucky to be working full-time and to be somewhat financially sound.

Many major events occured in the world this year. They probably should have impacted me and, yet, they haven't really. I think this says a lot. I have been extremely self-centered for the past couple of years. I have not been as attuned to major goings on in the world around me. I used to be rather political and have an opinion on everything. Lately all I can think about is my own life. I keep saying that once I find a job that will change, but will it? Perhaps, like I've been telling myself, I need this time to be self-centered -not enough of my brain power has been worried about myself. But what if I'm wrong?

This will probably sound silly to most, but the release of the final Harry Potter film. Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon, and I think the closure of that phenomenon counts as a world event. :P I was at Leakycon when the last film released, seeing it with my wizards. There was no way I'd rather end it. Funnily enough, it was less momentous for me than I thought. The end of Harry Potter should be devastating, right? The film was disappointing, but Sirius said it best--those who love us never truly leave us. And in that moment, I was surrounded by my friends, all of us brought together through love of this series. We might have been brought together by the books, but our friendships aren't ending because the series is... I'll carry these friends with me for a lifetime, just like I'll carry Harry. Those who love us, and those who we love, never truly leave us.

again, an environmental situation - the fukushima dai-ichi nuclear breach, which six months later is still spewing toxic water into the ocean and nuclear mist into the air. what is alarming now is the non-media attention to it. noaa doesn't have information on its website, and i find nothing current on the state of the ocean, the marine life, the air quality. i figure that our government is scrambling to up the allowable ppm's of the toxic elements now building up in the atmosphere and the water. we don't know how this is affecting us, and furthermore, our government may not be truthful in what they deign to let us know about the effects of this. sad for all life on earth.

The London riots. I wasn't there but I couldn't have very nearly been! It made me realise everything happens for a reason.

The earthquake in Japan because I then participated in a bake sale to help raise money for funds.

I've been following the events comprising the Arab Spring for quite a while, especially the revolutions in Egypt and Libya. It's definitely made me more aware of how lucky I am to live a country to promotes and protects my freedom. Although there are many things that I think need to be fixed/improved in this country, the uprisings in the Middle East have definitely made me realize how truly blessed I am to live in the United States. Watching news reports and reading articles about the huge amount of people dying in order to fight for freedom has put a lot in perspective for me and has forced me not to take anything for granted.

The assassination of Osama Bin Laden has had an interesting impact on me. I was in early elementary school during the 9/11 attacks, so it never had a huge effect, I was young and ignorant. Then hearing of his death, it was weird to see people celebrating all over the country. There were people chanting "U-S-A" everywhere. It was really my first experience of American unity.

The 'debt-ceiling' fiasco in Congress showed me that we (the US) still don't know how to set our priorities straight. It feels like the decision makers are no longer thinking about the people, and are focused entirely one the political game. This sincerely frustrates the hell out of me, and since none of them are calling each other on it, or better yet behaving differently, I'm left with the strengthened sense that we're making the right decision not to return to the State and stay here in Australia.

I am ashamed to say that I have been living in a bit of an isolated bubble here in Mississippi. I was grieved, for instance, to see the victims of Tsunami in Japan, but I did not feel wholly implicated. Living in New York, one has a sense of international community whirling around one. In Mississippi, one forgets that the far-flung corners of the world are in fact right next door.

No external event. It has all been internal. The odyssey up the mountain.

The tsunami in Japan. The huge size and impact it has had on the japanese population. It makes me sad to think of all the families that lost loved ones.

The execution of Troy Davis, a convict in Georgia, impacted me astronomically. This man had supposedly killed a police officer in 1991. Over a course of about 20 years, he was sentenced to death 4 times. The fourth time, on September 21, 2011, he died by lethal injection at 11:08 PM. In my eyes, this was torture. His family and friends had to say good-bye to him for 4 times, thinking this was the last time they would ever see him again. He himself had to wonder what would happen when he died for 4 times in his life. He went down claiming his innocence to the end. And he was killed on too much doubt in his case--in his first trial, in 1991, 9 witnesses stated that he was guilty. Now, just recently (before his death), 7 of those witnesses recanted their testimony. 2 of them did not; one was one of the other suspects in the case. This was more injustice in the justice system. R.I.P Troy Davis.

Oh, wow, I can't think of any world events!!! How sad is that?

the worldwide economic crisis has definitely affected me and everyone in my family. you are all imigrants cause our country does not provide for us. I supose we should be proud of ourselves! we are fighters!!!

The March 2011 earthquake truly changed this country and this region for ever. I was in it and was fortunate my prefecture was not damaged but the threat of the Fukushima power plant was very real since we border Fukushima. It was a very scary but very awaking event. It made me realize once I have something I wanted, I will not give it up. I did not want to leave here and had I left, I knew I would never be OK with it. That quake changed Japan forever. Seven months and places are still conserving.

The economic recession has made me look at our American social policies with different eyes. I see good people struggling and doing without, afraid of losing their homes. I see empty homes, inviting crime. I lost my own job and applied for hundreds of positions for months before I decided to start my own business. My husband has had to work 20 or more hours of overtime a week for us to make ends meet. He's done that for a year. When I see the corruption and greed of some Americans, especially those who are supposed to be serving their states and communities as elected officials, I become angry. We must do better. We must be better.

The earthquake in Japan didn't directly impact me, but I have friends who live there who were impacted and within the geocaching community, we noted several caches in Fukushima that were destroyed by the tsunami and from around the geocaching world, messages were posted to these caches wishing the cache owners well and prayers that they're even still alive. Reading the messages touched me deeply.

it is too early to call, but the event that has the most potential to impact me, is likely something related to the palestinian bid for statehood at the UN. nothing much has come of it so far, but things are a foot in the middle east and i truly have no idea what will come in the next year.

To be honest, a sample answer inspired me to write this - I don't often pay a huge aount of attention to politics or world events, not as much as I should. The BP oil spill affected me, as an Environmental Science student. The effect that spill had on the animals, the environment, the life surrounding it, made me really angry, especially how badly it was handled, and how little the people in charge seemed to care about it.

The flotilla event that occurred from Turkey to Israel, the misrepresentation that occurred in the media regarding it, and the peoples' refusal - even in light of the correct information of what occurred and circumstances - to see reason. The hatred and unwillingness of people around the world to see truth, and their anti-Semitic bent, has really stuck with me.

I don't think there has been a single world event that has had a measurable impact on me. It's all presented through the glass tube of the television and all of it looks like a show happening in faraway lands. Often a rather poorly filmed reality show ...

I have been impacted by the political bickering surrounding the budget in the spring and the debt ceiling in the summer. I am nauseated by the acrimony and the partisan politics on both sides of the isle. I am dismayed by our political leaders failure to compromise, and by their desire to put politics before the best interests of the country. How has this impacted me personally? It has left me feeling less hopeful about the future. I remain an optimist, but my optimism has been tempered. It. Has left me feeling less confident in America's ability to solve it problems, and to some extent, it has left me feeling disconnected from our political system. It has not been all bad. It has encouraged me to spend less time thinking or worrying about things outside of my control, and more time focusing on things within my control that will positively impact my life. That is a good thing.

The ongoing economic crisis continues to create worldwide instability affecting everything from retirement plans, housing, joblessness, travel -- and without a cohesive government trying to work together to resolve the situation, no end in site.

For the first time in my life, I actually paid attention to world events. I listened to the revolution in Libya and Egypt, I heard about the BP oil spill. I'm paying attention to the debates and facts and forming my own opinions...I actually paid attention to the events going on around me. In a weird way, all the dramatic world events kept me sane as I was going through a period of extreme depression.

I think one situation that affected me one than anything was the protesting with the city and county workers because even though he is retiring at the end of November and not really fully involved, my dad is a city employee and got involved with the meetings, mostly because the guys protesting were guys he works with and/or are our family and friends. It was the first time I didn't agree with the politics in this state and neither did my friends.

I think that the mass murder in Norway really affected me. It upset me for two reasons: 1. it upset me that someone in such difficult psychological circumstances (with a really bad family background etc) didn't get the help he needed 2. that young adults in a youth movement, like me, who really care about the world and wanted to change it for the better, were murdered

I cant think of anything that's impacted me personally. But the London riots were definitely the closest to doing so. The way the violence spread from city to city was frightening. I don't live in a city, or even too close to one, but it was still a worrying time. I've never been more proud of the North East for staying out of it.

the whole finding a particle that is faster than the speed of light thing. It's fascinating. I love how suddenly everything we all thought could now actually be wrong. Its so exciting. Feels a bit like it must have felt when they discovered that Earth was round and not flat! everything gets shook up.

The continued financial instability after the downfall of the economy in the U.S. (which of course if affecting the economy worldwide). It's difficult to describe the comprehensive impact it has on me. I alternate between high anxiety and using mindfulness and meditation and positive self-talk to keep myself grounded. I also alternate between fear/self-pity and acceptance and gratitude for still living a very good life compared to most people in the world. It increases my empathy for others, and helps me keep things in perspective.

japanese earthquake and the renewed discussions on nuclear energy that followed. in recent years i've become much more cognizant of the compromises and trade-offs that we make. there is risk in every form of energy we use-- and politicians of all stripes need to be more clear about this. i've learned that when it comes to many issues, my thinking is much more nuanced than it once was. this makes me happy, but sometimes irritates my friends, or other people who expect me to be more black/white about many issues.

The floods in Queensland immediately come to mind simply because of the way in which the Australian community branched together to do anything that would make even the smallest contribution. The Jewish community's response was hugely significant and restored my faith in my own community to stand up, take action and above all do the right thing.

It's interesting that I can't think of any big world events. Just shows how self-centered I am.

Honestly the event that has impacted me the most this year was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. It really helped me to remember how deeply we as a nation were rocked by 9/11 and the emotional toll it took. It reminded me of the selflessness and courage that we are capable of as I watched re-plays of the rescue workers and volunteers. It helped me remember the patriotism that united our country after the tragedy and made me proud to be an American.

The revolutions in northern africa inspired me. Egypt's revolution in particular. I think we are seeing a generation of people in these countries who are more modern, who are more willing to question authority and take responsibility to create their own future. I have felt some hope in these uprisings and revolutions for the future in general.

It may seems somewhat trivial, but the earthquake on the East Coast effected me in an unexpected way. I currently live in Philadelphia and work in a high rise. When our building shook my first thought was not 'earthquake' but instead 'terrorist attack' and I honestly thought something exploded. Now I do not think that Philly has a high probability of being hit by a terrorist attack but I'm also about to move to NYC which obviously does. This minor earthquake, that the West Coasters scoffed at, put into perspective how much I think of things differently since 9/11.

My wife lost some work time and maybe pay to the FAA shutdown.

I believe that the capture and (supposed) death of Osama Bin Laden was a particularly significant episode in our world history. When we went to war over a decade ago, we were all told that this man was the prime suspect. The greatest Evil to overthrow. I would have thought that when his life ended, so would this desperate, messy war. It is literally destroying the world.

The economic downturn. Almost everyone I know is struggling financially. I am, as well, but to a lesser degree, and feel luckier than ever before to have the ability to support myself.

The earthquake in Japan and the looting in the UK. It made me proud of the way people in my adopted country behaved and ashamed of the way people in my birth country behaved.

The Japanese tsunami really drove home the fragility of modern infrastructure. I live entirely in a tech bubble. I forget that it's not just beta systems that fail. Power, water, medicine, media. All massive fragile structures. Watching it fail was an unwelcome reminder of that.

The hype machine building up to the iPhone 5/4S announcement and release has been ridiculous. Never have I wanted to know what a product will be like SO BAD.

I am optimistic about the Arab Spring but also a little concerned about the antisemitism that persists in the region. I am fearful of the liberal movements that deny Israel's right to exist; it feels like a precursor to danger for Jews.

When we remembered the 10th anniversary of 9/11, this was also the 10th birthday of our school. It made me feel like a part of history and something special. even though I was too young to be there for the inital ceremony, I still felt connected to the school when I dug a piece of it next to the trees

The BP oil spill scared me to death, life on earth is in the hands of criminals.

I feel really isolated from world events, and I always have. There's a layer of privilege which cushions me against any shocks that world events may cause. The Japanese earthquake, the tornadoes in Joplin, the economic crisis--none of it really changes the way I live my day-to-day life. That may strike some as shallow, but on some level I am deeply grateful for this insulation.

Right after finding out gay marriage was legalized in New York state, I felt really good and really happy. I feel like I could have done more as an active person to fight for marriage equality, and I also did feel like this is something I DID put effort into fighting for--going to rallies, being present, travelling as far as DC to be a part of the movement. I don't think anything I did personally made a difference, though I do feel like I was one of many who made this issue known. And to know that it was legalized...it felt good to know that I was at least a small part of that.

No single event, but the proliferation of both natural disasters and civic unrest on a global level has been staggering. Something profound is changing in our world. I do not believe in organized religion but if I did it would be very easy to point to world events as a very clear indication of "End of Days".

I think the killing of Osama bin Laden brought up a lot of unanswerable questions. I felt relieved that we killed him. I felt remorse that this was humanities solution, and i felt astounded that he was at the heart of such cataclysmic ignorance. I know the USA has its issues, I know we are arrogant and snobbish and bullies at times. What astounds me is that anyone can think inflicting suffering upon innocent people could correct that, and that solution could be considered a holy act in any way. I compare it to Gandhi, and how he achieved the kind of independence bin Laden had believed we should leave the middle east alone to figure out, and how Gandhis acts effect the world today, and how bin Laden's acts effect our world as well. When I say it is astounding to me, I say that without judgment. I am at a loss to comprehend it.

Probably everything going on in the LGBT community, from the hate crimes to the legalization of gay marriage in New York. The former makes me cry, the latter renews my hope. I just hope everything'll be alright for us in the end.

The teenage riots in London, was one of the things that make me look at the last events and made me thing the world is a bit more than fucked, as the earthquake in Japan, then the hurricane flowing NY, then the narcowar in my country, it's no where around where there isn't something ugly going on. It's very sad and dramatic, I feel I should try to enjoy the best of my last days in earth as I knew it growing up as it's definitively becoming a tougher place to be with the pass of the time.

The 1oth anniversary of 9/11. It validated my predictions about what would happen in the world since that day. I wish it hadn't.

None. I have not paid attention to the world this year. I have been sealed in my hermetic hole. Perhaps the closest I've come to knowing what's going on was the attack on Planned Parenthood. It made me feel not only unsafe, but absolutely infuriated and ready to fight for women's rights. So funny how we are always the ones that get trampled on, the ones that can be sacrificed for the budget. Women and children. It was absolutely ridiculous.

I've never seen more instability on the planet than I do now. It's inspiring watching ordinary citizens rise up, demand a fair share, demand bureaucratic transparency (and rarely get it, of course), and demand that old malevolent regimes fall. Will we someday topple the corporations and their infinite lobbyists and become a utopian agrarian society?

The suicides of Wade Belak and Mark Rypien plus the drug and alcohol death of Derek Boogaard struck a chord. I think the sadness I felt upon hearing the news was a recognition that I hadn't been that far from where they ended up. They were guys that were even more successful than I have been and yet they were suffering an intolerable sadness. I wonder what pushed them past the point where I was. What can I do to ensure that I don't get pushed there.

My partaking in the recent election felt great for me. It led to massive debates over whether voting blank was right or not, and what it represented. These debates enlightened me greatly and made me realise what paradigm change i represent.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It showed me that no matter how well prepared you think you are for whatever life throws at you, you're not. I need to be more flexible so that I'm better able to cope with life's challenges.

The central Texas wildfires really hit home for me, because well...it IS my home. I have heard of so many around me have lost everything they have. Such beautiful land has been scorched and burned. I couldn't believe how long the fires raged all around me. The sky was enveloped in thick smoke and it smelled like a bbq everywhere you went. It was so amazing to see people come together in times of need though. There were so many willing to give what they had and that is something I will always carry with me.

The killing of Osama bin Laden; specifically the distressing "We got him" celebrations and the bloodthirsty calls to see photos of the corpse. I felt some relief that the search was over, but also horror at the jingoist responses. I was heartened by a fellow ground zero volunteer who lost many loved ones in the fire department, who wrote that there would be no such thing as "closure" while people are STILL dying from cancers germinated in the rescue efforts. And still denied proper health care. Killing one person will not bring back the dead. It's vengeance. If it prevented more violent deaths, I suppose it's a necessary evil, but still not something to be joyful about. Celebrating the violent death of another places us in the same camp as the people who cheered when the WTC buildings fell. I may have felt differently when I was younger. I feel I've matured into pacifism.

Oh, where to begin? I could say the giant torandos that took up whole towns in Tennessee and Missouri (?) or the hurricane that hit the entire east coast from Carolinas to New England that caused massive flooding. OR the EARTHQUAKE that hit Washington DC (actually W. Va.) but was felt all the way to NYC. God is trying to get our attention America!!! But I have to say the drought/heat wave that hit Texas all summer was the most personally impactful. 100+ degree temps for over 20 days in a row... a couple of times... caused MAJOR wildfires in places where my friends and family live. Cedar Park, Bastrop, Magnolia, Katy. But all friends answered my frantic emails with, "We're fine, but we have friends...." Over 1500 homes burned or lost. John Paul Jackson's prophecy "a perfect storm" is coming true and is in my back yard. We basically stayed in all summer trying to keep cool and watered almost daily so our plants wouldn't prematurely die. Most of Memorial Park is BROWN. It is sad to drive on the 610 loop and see all the dead trees. And the prediction is it will be worse next year. 2012. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him And He will keep your paths straight. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

All the flooding in my town. Many people are effected and not much help financially to get them up and running again.

The 10th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11 has given me time to reflect on how volatile the world has become...and how precious our freedoms are, our security, our way of life. This has impacted my life because I have realized that no matter how rough things may get in my own personal life, life does go on anyway. "Deal with it" has become my daily goal. People around the world are dealing with what life is handing them, the wars, the joblessness, the natural disasters. I have gained a new courage to accept things as they are if I cannot change them, to get through each day.

The biggest event in the world that impacted me this year was the 10th anniversary September 11th. Leading up to the date, many images were showed on the news of that day and stories where retold. The anniversary reminded how much of an impact the event had to me when it first occurred. I was 13 years old on the night of September 11, 2001, I remember waking up every few hours and checking my mom was still in her bed because I believed the world was coming to an end. I kept anticipating the moment the Rapture was going to happen because the attacks were so horrendous and disgusting that I was sure this was the end. However, everyone's life went on and we united as a country. Leading up to the anniversary, I had nightmares about the building I work in getting hit by a plane, I got nervous when I saw the shadow of a plane, and I tried to avoid news stations featuring people taking about the event. I realized how traumatized I still was. On the morning of September 11, 2011, I forced myself to watch a memorial special. So many people lost their lives that day and continue to loose their lives because of the source of the deadly attack. The least I could do was give a few hours of my life to remember these people and feel like a united part of my country. Although the event really occurred 10 years ago, it shows how much I was impacted and proved to me that I may never loose the fear of what happened that day.

The death of Osama Bin Laden impacted me. Even though my first reaction was one of relief, when I saw the posts on facebook that seemed so joyous, it felt wrong. Ultimately I don't believe that killing is ethical. I also don't know what the appropriate punishment would be in such an extreme case. War is not the answer, but if you're being attacked, you must defend. I guess it's unclear if they could have taken him alive or if they acted out of defense. It also brought out a sense of hopelessness because I know that there are so many other terrorist leaders and operations in place since 9/11, that Bin Laden's death will not have made much difference.

The economy has really affected. The horrible job market sort of pushed me into more schooling rather than trying to find a career... Not a bad choice, but I'm still rather unsure what I want out of life...

I would say "events". The uprisings in Sudan, Libya, and Egypt among other places have made me realize that some people do care and that some people will fight for their lives in every sense.This anarchy is contagious and has spread across the world.I watch as my neighbors take to the streets in protest and it brings a smile to my face. "Good for them," I think to myself as lower back into my own depression.It helps me to continue to fight this darkness in my life.It helps me to find my belief.

The tenth anniversary of September 11th this year really impacted me. It reminded me that no matter how many years ago it was, it will always be a huge tragedy for the United States. This year I really reflected on my memories from this event and participated in a 9/11 program in my BBYO chapter.

Moving to California. Reality out here just isn't normal. I wonder when I'll forget that and then no longer be useful?

Not one event, but many small ones leading up to the realization that the United States is disillusioned and will continue to be that way until we rise up and fight "the man." We don't have to be slaves to major corporations, gas companies, the meat industry, extreme health care costs, etc. We need to change this, and we will, as long as we stop eating the distractions that the world is feeding us.

The images from the Japanese tsunami haunt me. The frailty of the human condition, and our inability to really control anything hit hard for me. I also felt bad for what I had felt towards the Japanese prior to the tsunami. I'd seen "The Cove" about 3 weeks prior to the events and was pretty sickened by what I saw. I was angry at the Japanese for "their" arrogance. I was disappointed that the area where the dolphin hunt/murder takes place was relatively unscathed - I had hoped that the town had been destroyed. It took me a while to put my anger - and desire for retribution - aside. Now I feel guilty for wishing evil on an entire people.

The financial crash has impacted my private practice to the extent that keeping my home had been jeopardized. I am praying and meditating more than ever - I got pretty sick in May - couldn't breathe - had to go to urgent care to get breathing treatments and for the first time in my life, had eight prescriptions to take. I'm off the medications now but know that this happened because iI felt suffocated.

The anniversary of the World Trade Center was emotional. My family is all from NY and I have cousins who live across the street from there, and another cousin in a different part of Manhattan. It has become somewhat scary to think that we are being observed, by friends and foe. I fly alot and always wonder about people on the plane (or off it). I am not nervous about these things, but I still feel the loss of all the people from 9/11 in all the locations.

The earthquake in Japan and the resulting nuclear reactor destruction which has left the sea and soil in the area contaminated. I can only imagine how this will affect the people and the planet.

No doubt this summer's social protests. Actually I thought it was going to be the passing of the boycott bill which made me question why I am here and at what point things would be bad enough to make me leave. But then came the summer protests and I was inspired and renewed once more. Whatever the long term effects will prove to be I won't forget what it felt like to be a part of that. It was democracy in its ideal form. Public debate in the street. Serious engagement with real issues. Driven by economic frustration and selfishness yes, but by altruism and Zionism too.

I am still affected by the economic situation. Some days I feel as though I should be giving all of my money to others, who need it more, other days I feel as though our entire economic system needs fixing-how can we treat each other with so little compassion? I have begun to look at all of my "things" and have started to think much harder about how I spend my money and my time.

The recession and the resulting budget cuts that have been justified by it. The impacts of this have been pretty widespread across the country of course, with people unemployed, poor people sinking deeper into poverty, programs being cut, state and local governments budget shortfalls. My personal impact has been the cost of my grad school tuition (at a public university) rising and classes and other services at my school being cut, including the laying off of a wonderful staff person who was a real ally to students. These things to me are unfortunate in and of themselves, but also speak to a much more disturbing trend against investing in resources that benefit the public.

This isn't exactly an event, but the Lord's Resistance Army created by Joseph Kony in Uganda and now in Congo has really affected me this year. I discovered Invisible Children and how this organization is trying to stop Joseph Kony from abducting children to be child soldiers in his army. I found IC a few years ago, but this year I taught my BBYO chapter about it and got really into it. It really showed me that I want to do something to help people in these situations when I am older and even now.

osama bin laden, earthquake and tsunami in japan, egyptian revolution, amy winehouse, 10th anniversary of 9/11, debt ceiling probs...

The remarkable unrest in Libya, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia. I feel both worried (for the people living in those countries) and delighted that change is happening so quickly and powerfully to bring down autocratic governments.

The September earthquake and hurricane that hit the East Coast reminded me of how grateful I am to live in a country where there are emergency personnel and governments capable of responding to natural disasters no matter how severe or minor they may be. If only the people of Japan, China, Thailand and others across East Asia could be as fortunate.

The tsunami in Japan was probably the event I felt the most. I stayed glued to the television and internet trying to find out everything I could about the people and the radiation scare. I wasn't directly affected, but my heart went out to those people. Along with the rest of the world I also feared a nuclear meltdown and what that might mean for the world. For the first time I donated money to a cause and became more interested in the charity and relief organizations out in the world. I hope this will lead to even more involvement on my part of helping others through their struggles and sorrow.

Whenever I see natural disasters they impact my life. Fortunately I have never lived through anything as devastating as an earthquake or a tornado or hurricane that in one instant destroy or take away everything you have. My heart goes out to all of them. I can only imagine what that would be like. And I am so grateful for everything I have and I will never take any of it for granted.

i think when the UN were completely un-zionistic in their decision about the "palestinian state" or whatever that is. israel won that land fair and square, and i don't think she should give it up just based on a bunch of arabs. i mean seriously. they don't even want to negotiate anything else, but when it comes to land, theyre all for it. i realize how i need to support israel even more now because the whole world seems to be against it.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 made me think about what I was doing 10 years ago during those moments and how I felt for the next days, weeks, months. I remember feeling like crying at random times even weeks after it happened. I did not know anyone who died that day but I felt helpless and a little bit hopeless. How could that happen in the USA?

gay marriage in new York!

all the war, environmental disaster, and financial crisis, and infighting in our government has all had a deep impact. I want to be more active but I feel overwhelmed sometimes by the devistation of it all, and retreat to focusing on what I CAN do by raising a daughter with love for all humans, the world & the environment

The Arab Spring showed that there is a universal longing for freedom and self-determination, even in regions of the world where we had presumed that notions like democracy, and people power, were essentially foreign.

The killing of Osama bin Laden had an impact on me. Not because I felt the US got "revenge" for 9/11, but because of how people rejoiced at the action. I felt numb about it, and also nervous. To me, it is short-sighted to think killing Osama bin Laden would eliminate all of the ill will towards the US. The problem is much larger than that.

The bombings in London affected me. I had just been there, so it was very strange to hear about the violence.

I have been moved by the support given to those in need from natural disasters like the tornados in Joplin. When people lose everything due to things out of their control it is so sad, but when you see strangers do things like collect pictures that have drifted hundreds of miles away there is hope. When you see people rebuilding schools there is hope.

Just about a month ago was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Just thinking about all that has happened since that one day 10 years ago makes me sad. People seemed more filled with hate. Nobody trusts anyone. Our country has never felt so divided. It makes me sad to read the news now. It just seems to be one angry news story after another. Will things ever be the same? Or is the world forever changed because of it?

The deficit debacle (raising the debt ceiling) left me feeling even more disillusioned than ever. I don't understand why our politicians can't act like intelligent adults instead of toddlers with temper tantrums.

I try not to allow events in the world to affect me. I limit my exposure to television and the news so I may live a more grounded, peaceful life.

Osama Bin Laden was finally caught which was weird for me to hear. 9/11 happened when I was starting my last year of pre-school and having him caught and killed was kind of surreal for me.

I feel this year that politics really has become a circus. With the debt ceiling debate and the 2012 election beginning, I am struggling to maintain that politics is the best system when reason has apparently been thrown out the window. The death of the Republican and Democratic moderate seems to have marked the end of constructive discourse in our country.

The drought in Somalia affected my heart, as I heard a news report of a mother who had to leave one of her children, who was near death, in order to save the rest of them. I am so freakin' lucky to live where I do, and deal with fake, non-life-threatening poverty. Each one of these disasters reminds me more and more to take nothing for granted and to be grateful each and every day for what I have.

The Japanese earthquake and nuclear meltdown. Just when we thought we had an oil and coal alternative. This happens and we are back to the drawing board.

This past year, humanity has witness several events which are shaping our society for a questionable future. We have seen disaster and earthquakes destroy the Eastern Hemisphere as well as political turmoil grow in the Middle East. However, one event that truly has hit close to home is the killing of Osama Bin Laden. I have always been perplexed as to how a man of religious following could cause so much destruction and pain in the world. Persecution and hate have risen as a direct consequence of this mans actions. Regardless of how loved or hated he was, Bin Laden was a powerful man. I am happy that he can no longer be worried about yet I feel are hardly done seeing the likes of him. At this point, relations between the United States and Pakistan are at an all time low and I believe they will continue to stay that way. My biggest concern is that we will face blowback from this event as we have faced in the past from countries like Iran and Afghanistan. I hope and pray for a resolution to these politically driven problems that we are facing as a nation.

The Itamar attack in Israel affected me deeply. Five members of a Jewish settler family, two parents, an 11 year old, an infant and a toddler were murdered in their home in a settlement near the Gaza strip. This was so shocking to me and it broke my heart to think of the three unharmed children in the family who will have to grow up without parents.

The London riots. I was so angry that it happened. So angry that people's businesses and homes were destroyed.

Well, it wasn't something that happened this year, but the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 was last month. It made everyone stop and think about where they were at that moment 10 years ago. Very lifetouching. The memorial on tv was an amazing thing to watch and made me realize that day changed the United States forever.

I think that the Japan Earthquake really impacted me this year. It drove home the message of mortality. It's real, whether we want to admit it or not. When massive natural disasters occur, we are all affected. We are all connected. It's that moment when you take time to pause and really acknowledge your place and purpose on this earth. You learn so much in watching a tragedy of this level unfold. You learn compassion and you empathize. As I watched their culture, who is very organized and extremely peaceful deal with this; I learned that we can all grow from these events. If we choose to. Seeing their faces with such sorrow as they sifted through the heaps and massive piles of cars/homes/personal belongings--I couldn't help but feel their pain. Watching their sorrow and hurt, made me realize that we are all connected. And carnal beings.

This year has been kind of insular. I've been aware of the crises that have wracked the world, but they haven't affected me physically. The East Africa famine has torn my heart strings and is tempting me to go back to Africa but, for now, Melbourne is home.

The 10th anniversary of September 11th took place this year and impacted me greatly. It brought me back to that place, that time, that evil. It made me think about the promises I made to myself 10 years ago, as a college senior, regarding how I would view the world, how I would put myself out to the world. And on the anniversary, it really made me take stock in myself as to how well I'd been doing and what needed shifting.

Perry running for president. I am so scared of his becoming elected and the terrible things it would to do our country. It has made me depressed and cynical. I have taken to watching John Stewart on a nightly basis to at least be able to laugh about the state of our country and the country's politics. I hit my boiling point when Congress actually asked the President to reschedule his address to them because of the republican presidential debate. If the legislative and executive sides of our government can't even agree on a date how are they ever supposed to govern?

I was strangely very impacted by the anniversary of 9/11. I was only six at the time that it happened but I was glued to the t.v. with all the footage from back then and found myself researching stories about that day. I've realized how much it's effected me and the rest of the world because of the remembrance of it 10 years later.

The coming of COP 17 to Durban and the central part I played in such an important international event. It has sensitized me more to the climate change reality and the responsibility we all have to preserve the universe as custodians.

There haven't really been any. I don't watch the news, I don't read the paper, and if it didn't happen in my city, I probably won't know about it until someone tells me. I'm totally okay with that, there are enough stressors in my life as it is, without having to worry about the world as well. I stay happier and less depressed by not following the news.

Listening to the political rhetoric from the Tea Party frequently raises my blood pressure and I feel (a bit) more disillusioned about our country's fate. Lately, though, the news has been talking about the fall of the Tea Party's influence, and I've been feeling more hopeful about the state of America. I was amazed when Glenn Beck was ousted from Fox (poor ratings, low ad revenue, controversy). Maybe we are smarter than I sometimes fear? That's Andy Rooney's conclusion about Obama's ratings. Let's hope he's right, as I don't expect we can do better and think we could do a whole lot worse.

It's hard to think of an event that has really impacted me, but the Republican debates have scared me. I'm afraid for my future and the future of our country if the Tea Party or even any of the Republican candidates are elected next year. I'm considering leaving and I'm considering actually getting involved in a campaign...something I've never done.

The last space shuttle flew. I have always dreamed of being an astronaut - and still do! - but I always kind of assumed, as a kid, that if/when I achieved my dream, it would be on a space shuttle. So it was devastating, both on a personal level and a large scale, because NASA doesn't have a coherent plan to continue launching human beings into space. Robots and remote sensing are great, but there is simply no substitute for being there. It kills me that the US government has the means to send people to the moon, to an asteroid, to Mars... if we just made it a priority. We sent people to the moon over 40 years ago! At this point, I just hope it happens again in my lifetime. That doesn't feel so sure anymore.

The fact that I can't think of anything in the world that has affected me kind of scares me. It makes me feel detached and like I don't care, even though I do. I think it means that I need to be more aware of global events.

The tsunami in Japan -- so tragic and sad.

I think the depressed real estate market really made a difference in my life this year -- but in a positive way. We were able to buy a house in a much nicer neighborhood; we were able to get more house than we'd planned. We also were able to sell our old house quickly. While we came down some on the price, we still were able to make a profit on it. God has really been good to us this year.

Not an event that happened since last September, but one that happened in January 2010: the Haiti earthquake. It impacted me this last spring when I volunteered to go to Haiti to help rebuild a school with a mission team from my church. It was an incredible experience, which prompted me to want to do more mission/disaster work again---something I'd done in the past but had let lapse. The devastating wildfires in Bastrop Texas last month impacted me in the same way. I was certified to do Early Response with UMCOR, & will be working there, helping fire victims sift thru the ashes of their homes.

The last space shuttle mission. As child I remember how the space program inspired and untied us a a society. The end of the shuttle program seems to mark a change in direction for the US and I think signal the continuing demise of our nation as a world power, which is probably not such a bad thing.

I remember being in Milwaukee when one of the students I used to work with told me that the U.S. had found Osama Bin Laden and had killed him. I remember being grateful to rid the world of this evil being, but also scared for the world, especially for Israel. I don’t know if I’m overly compassionate or overly sensitive (neither of which I necessarily think are good or bad qualities) but sometimes I am fearful of the world we live in. That’s why I try to make people laugh. That’s why I don’t like to see scary movies, and that’s also why I worry. I hope I can teach myself to worry less about things I can’t control (which is obviously most things) in this next year.

The recession continues to have an impact...mostly because it means I need to keep working; I can't sell our house and downsize as I would like to do.

1. Palestinian bid to the UN. I have finally understood the issues that face ym people and how to defend them. 2. Egypt. I got scared and realized I needed to learn more.

The riots in London were shocking, especially looking on from overseas whilst they were happening. I literally watched the news footage open-mouthed. It made me feel initially so disappointed at those few selfish individuals taking part, but then heartened by the way communities pulled together in the aftermath to sort things out.

The continued disinterest in the Republican Party in the U.S. of pursuing possibilities that will benefit the citizens of our country. Since the election of President Obama, they are interested only in discrediting him and doing everything possible to see that he fails, and are working against the interests of our citizens. We can't afford this. Our country is becoming more and more a second-rate nation. It's really depressing and makes me very uncertain for the future for my children and. . . eventually. . . grandchildren.

10th anniversary of 9-11. Having spent time there at WTC and having worked with some that were lost others who survisved you are compelled to think about this terrible event.

Republican's ongoing attacks on women's reproductive rights made me become less politically apathetic. I have always been very interested of educating women about the way our bodies work and how to protect ourselves, but the systematic efforts of the Republican party to disempower women, defund Planned Parenthood, and restrict abortion reinvigorated me.

I'm afraid I'm not much affected by world events. I don't know if Michael Moore's view has impacted me: that stuff about the news being full of fear. Compassion fatigue is part of it, too, and the fact that my news consumption is passive and largely through social media such as Twitter and Facebook, which is where I often hear about events first. I do listen to the "Today" programme on Radio 4. I suppose the riots affected me more than anything. There was one day I was working from home when I was just mesmerized by the videos and news about the riots. Didn't get much work done that day (Tuesday).

The killing of Osama bin Laden was a pretty big deal because it started a conversation about how Christians respond to the death of another person. I was appalled by the cheering and victory language people were using on TV and online. It was disturbing to see people talk about it as "justice" rather than a "necessary evil" at best or "vengeance" at worst.

It may not have been a world-wide event, but the shooting last month in Carson City had more of an effect than I thought it would, when I found out that a former friend of my family and myself had been killed there. Even though we hadn't talked in well over a year, it hit me pretty hard knowing that there was no chance to ever talk to her again. Death seems to put things into perspective like nothing else, and makes you appreciate people like you wouldn't think to when they were alive and around to take for granted. I suppose that it what I want to take out of this situation (beyond an appreciation for the person I once knew)- appreciation for people today and not when it's too late.

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 had an impact on me, because I was able to look back at all the ways I was affected by this terrorist act from enough distance to have a sense of control over the horror. I have since been able to look at ways I have lived my life in reaction, so that I can now begin to try to live my life more pro-actively for myself and my family instead of in fear.

An event in the world that impacted me this year was when Osama Bin Laden was killed. This was obviously a big deal for majority of the country, but I know at least two people who have lost parents directly and indirectly due to 9/11. This killing of this man brought a final feeling of justice and closure to these friends and their families and that really meant something to me.

This is a mini-world event. Or rather...a daily world event. The lives of my students. The event of their lives, them coming into being, them having to deal with issues and challenges so far beyond what any child should ever have to deal with. This is a daily event, a life long event, maybe the event of a life, that shakes me to my core, and makes me so very glad and grateful to have loving parents. Supportive, wanting, and willing parents, a mother and a father, who planned for me, who prepared for me, who still do. The lives of my students, their battles, have turned me into such a lucky woman, right before my eyes.

The 10th anniversary of September 11th. I remember that day so vividly, but being 11 years old at the time, I didn't understand the impact that day had. I thought I did, but watching the documentaries and memorials on TV on that anniversary I really started to come to term with the horror that happened that day. I really can't explain the feeling I had, but it was a powerful, emotional day for me.

The disfunction of the U.S. political system has really impacted me. We seem to be at a point when political compromise is a dirty word. In my opinion the Tea Party Movement is a reaction to our changing society. Fear of the present and future seems to be the cause of this reaction.

The ten year anniversary of 9/11 has significantly impacted me this year. When it happened, I was barely 13 and had no real concept of the sheer terror the people in those places experienced. For the first time in my life, I had an idea of the pain their families must have felt. It's amazing how my 6th grade students didn't even have an accurate idea of what 9/11 was. When I asked them, their answers were "the day a bomb went off in a skyscraper", "the day some people shot some people in NY", etc. It was shocking, because I feel like it became such a defining moment in our history.

Occupy Wall Street. Though I am in general positive and happy about my own life, I have been feeling more and more distressed/depressed/despairing/outraged about the state of the world. It may be a long shot, it may be too late to reverse the environmental and economic degradation and power imballances with which we are faced... but OWS at least gives me HOPE. That many people share my concerns. That they --- we --- are joining together. That just maybe, maybe....

I'm Japanese-American who currently resides in America even though MANY family members, including my father, live in Japan still. So hypothetically my answer would be the earthquake/tsunami/power plant melt down would be my answer but it's not. An event that impacted my was the Women's World Cup. I watched it with my estranged father who was visiting for the one week he always does every year. Even with my Japanese heritage, I'm a HUGE USA fan. So I was planning on rooting for them. So when my father and I sat down to watch the game, we were on opposing side, a very accurate reflection of our relationship. As the game progressed and my alliance shifted, my relationship with my father gradually changed as well. It seemed silly at the time, but as Japan scored the last penalty kick and my dad and I did victory laps around his hotel room, I realized how something little can bring people together.

There have been significant US and world events this year: capturing/killing Bin Laden; ending 'don't ask, don't tell; earthquakes and sunamis... For me, the one I feel the most is the rise of the Tea Party, which isn't actually new this year. It scares the sh-t out of me. The rise of right-wing Christianity into power in our government goes against my sense of what we are about here. It threatens so many of the well-fought and barely won gains we've made in the socio-political arena from women's and gay rights, to equality and justice across class and race, to religious freedom and on and on. This is not an 'event,' but it is a VERY SCARY MOVEMENT. I am appalled at the blind acceptance of prejudice and entitlement so many Americans are willing to embrace and the equally astonishing lack of understanding that one must give and give up some of what one has to make things right in the world. How this effects me, along with making me afraid, is global. As a woman, as a lesbian, as a mom, as an artist, as a therapists, as an agent of social change, as a spiritual being, as a HUMAN being, all of who I am is challenged. What the Tea party stands for in the name of FREEDOM, would rob me and most of the rest of humanity of ours.

The two American hikers were allowed to leave Iran after being held for 2 years. I must have really identified with their mothers and what they were feeling. It must have been such a struggle every day, not knowing what would happen to their beloved sons. And they had to be so careful to not say anything that the Iranians would use against them. The day I heard they had left for Yemen I started cheering, and told everyone I saw that day.

I think that the Arab Spring has dramatically altered the way that we have conversations about the power of the people and the way we talk about democracy and government.

Traveling has made me more aware of global events in general. I read articles about small events in far-off places , and my travel there connects me in ways that I didn't feel connected before.

The protests in Egypt...it is amazing to see the power of the people and people peacefully, for the most part, asking to have their rights fulfilled, to have democracy. And, to know that youth started the revolution makes it that much more powerful and inspiring.

The whole war impacted me...the continued war. Having a deployed significant over changed the way I look at politics, war military and everything.

The earthquake that happened not too long ago in NYC impacted me because it made me realize that NYC is subject to any number of disasters and being prepared for it is important. My boyfriend is always talking about being prepared and he is right and I hope we start to prepare for it and take it seriously.

I find this question quite sad. I have been very fortunate that I currently live in a place, and for most of my life have lived in places, that have not been the site of so called "world events" in the 24/7 news-making sense caused by some man-made or natural disaster. But only people so self-centered that they haven't spent any time wondering about their small place in the world at large is going to watch the news from the comfort of their self-contained existence and start to wonder about what goes on outside the bubble. You might as well have asked, "During this year did you finally decide to join the human race?"

I've been rather self-centered this past year. The things that have impacted me greatly have been close to home in my personal life.

The series of Tornadoes in the Midwest and flash floods. It was yet another reminder that our world is unpredictable and that we all need to be very clear about what's important; be prepared to deal with uncertainty and chaos; and ultimately be there for each other when there's a crisis.

I guess working in news I get to see world events to the point of being beaten to death by the media. Two that stand out are the death of Osama Bin Laden, and Hurricane Irene. Not that Osama was terribly relevant to me, but that I found out watching baseball, which proves that if a story is big enough, it will be on ESPN. And also kind of the sickness I felt watching people celebrate or be happy about it, he was a bad guy, but celebrating death just seemed a little gross and in poor taste. Hurricane Irene because even though it was devastating for many, it didn't do anything to Manhattan, but I feel like it brought me closer to a lot of people. At work we had to do round the clock coverage so co-workers bonded more over that, and when I thought I'd be stranded up there, someone with whom I'd thought the connection had been broken, offered me shelter. And unfortunately, my friends' place got flooded, but I was able to take in their pets, so it was nice to be able to do something for them.

When gay marriage was legalized in New York state, I was absolutely euphoric. I'm not gay, but gay rights is an issue that I feel very strongly about. While I think that New York should have legalized gay marriage decades ago, I was jumping up and down and cheering in my room when I heard on the news that it had FINALLY happened.

The earthquake and then Hurricane Irene that hit NYC. It's rare for these 2 events to happen in the city and as nervous as it made everyone it made me realize that there is nothing that is purely bad. What made me realize this was our dogs. We took them out after the Hurricane ended and there were leaves and branches everywhere. The dogs were going crazy sniffing everything and my husband thought that it might be because they were picking up scents from North Carolina and all the other states that the hurricane hit. Normally they have the few trees they like to sniff, but nothing was where it was supposed to be for them that day and they were going wild. It made me realize that this is how new crops develop, new things are experienced, and how devastation can tear people apart, but it can also bring them together. There is a reason and purpose for everything.

The tent protests in Israel. It makes me feel about how active and inspired Israeli culture is. How much I want to be a part of something, and fit in amongst something bigger. something meaningful. Zionism, herzl. People in israel live for a reason. Its hard, but meaningful there. I think its worth it

The world seems so far away from our little town nestled in this little valley in the middle of no where. I find that world events don't hold my interest they way they used to. I watch the news with a distance that is insulating.

A massive event is OccupyWallStreet, I suppose. It impacts on us all, as it tries to uncover the massive fraud that is enslaving humanity. I love fighting the good fight and this one is definitely one of them.

The earthquake in Japan affected me because it made me realize that anything can happen.

The famine in Somalia that has been growing worse daily has impacted my life because it has opened my eyes to other world issues, not just things that happen in the U.S. or the United Kingdom.

The 10th anniversary of 09/11. I was in NYC that day and to be so far from it now, in terms of lifestyle, location, age, experience, etc was eye-opening. Such an interesting gift to be able to look at 10 years specifically encapsulated.

I can't remember an event in the world this past year that has impacted me. And I consider myself to be well informed. Does this mean I have become jaded? I have been moved by many events, I have seen the horrific pictures of disasters around the world, and yet once those images are gone, I don't feel it affects me anymore...

10 year anniversary of 9/11 television coverage. Through authentic expressions, i felt connected to humanity... to what really matters. (i was at an nvc/aikido workshop in tribeca all day) moving stories of where people are now... little kids grown up now teenagers reading their mother or father's name at the name reading. the memorial fountain so beautiful. the twin lights by the river. the interview series 10 years later... channel 7 abc new letlters to loved ones: this excerpt touched me: "You have taught me the uselessness of giving up." from a middle aged black woman writing to her twin sister who had perished in the towers. the news photographer taking pictures at the same sites 10 years later.

The earthquake in Japan reminded me about how scary Nuclear power is, and how strongly I feel about opposing it as a pwer sounrce.

The earthquake in Japan was nothing short of shocking and tragic. I live in a city like LA where we're always waiting for the "big one" so seeing the widespread devastation, lack of adequate warning and complete collapse of so many systems really made me think about what would actually happen in LA. I saw a lot of parallels because Japan's technological capacity and infrastructure is in many ways so much farther ahead of our own, but none of this held a candle to the power of mother nature. It makes me realize that I really need to have a disaster plan in place.

The saga of the Chilean miners, which began before 5771 but concluded during that year, really touched me. I couldn't stop thinking and reading about this men trapped underground -- what they must have been going through, how they were coping with the isolation, lack of basic necessities, the total uncertainty of when and how they would escape. I don't know why it affected me so much, but reading about it brought me to tears almost nightly. I just couldn't imagine what it must be like to be them, or to be their families, waiting, waiting, for them to be freed.

The Arab Spring impacted me because it was so great to see people fighting for their lives, their rights, and democracy in Arab countries where they have been denied many rights. The protests in Madison, Wisconsin affected me because it was so great to see the people stand up and fight for their rights to decent pay while the Wisconsin government refused to listen to the people. The Occupy Wallstreet protests have affected me, because if I was able to I'd be there amongst the protestors and be helping with their efforts since I truly believe that we must take a stand against corporate greed.

An event that has impacted me is the horrible natural disaster that affected Japan around the time of Purim. It really opened my eyes and showed me that we all come to times when we need each other even if we are in different countries and in different parts of the world. It made me realize that global community service is an amazing and very deep thing to be a part of. That you don't have to be near someone to need/want to help them, and that we are really all one big family all over the world. It made me think about the things that other people go through and how what people usually see as the worst thing that can happen like a break up or a divorce is really something we should think about as g-d saving us from something that wouldn't have made us happy (everything happens for a reason) and realize that there are much more severe problems out there that we should help to solve instead of crying over little things that we think are a big deal.

All of the natural disasters that have been happening around the globe have been so disturbing to me. I often feel awful that I don't give back to the community enough because I'm so involved in my own trivial problems, issues and day to day life. A hurricane and tornado that recently hit an area near my hometown and caused flooding and devastation for people close to those I personally know affected me deeply. I am having a tough time reconciling these types of events and thinking in serenity prayer terms: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

The Lybia revolt affected me a lot the day it happened. Not just because the gas is up but because it showed me the world is really changing. Humanity, the new generations are unhappy with the way the world is working. This was not the world they were promised. It scares me. It makes me feel hopeless.

I think the event in the past year that had the greatest impact on me was the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. At the time it happened we were planning a trip over the summer and I believe that made both of us pay more attention to all of the coverage of the events. That in a matter of minutes you’re life could be so drastically altered, the loss of home and property and most importantly the loss of friends, community and family. It’s trite I know but such things are touching and remind us of how easily everything you have can be taken away from you.

Demonstrations around the world, from the Arab Spring to London to right here in my home town of New York. I am so proud that the peoples of the world have not lost hope. I believe in the right of the people to determine their own future and I wish I were younger/had more time to get involved myself. Also, the Republicans just make my blood boil. That they are trying to defeat President Obama pretty much because he's an African-American just revolts me. There is so much racism left in our country, and not only are the Republicans the fomenters of this atrocity, but they are trying to prevent our government from doing what it should and always has to take care of the less fortunate among us. They are unAmerican and although I live in a very liberal area, I fear for our country and those who are not so fortunate to live in a place where immigrants, people of various backgrounds, religions, language groups and cultures all coexist and actually enjoy each others' special qualities. I love New York. The rest of the country, not as much as I once did.

Events: 1. Michael Jackson's death 2. Osama Bin Laden's death 3. Tsunami and earthquake's in Thailand and surrounding areas 4. Obama's presidency 5. Biggest Loser Asia's breakthrough

The US credit rating was downgraded. I said finally! We need a good kick in the pants (aka to be treated like everyone else just a little tiny bit) and I hope we stop acting so foolishly. It made me realise that both it rationally doesn't make sense to go back home but it also doesn't matter because I love it and will go back no matter what the conditions.

The earthquake in Haiti was meaningful for several reasons. First off, it was a fascinating yet extremely sad view of raw human emotion. People were stripped down to their elements and had to go through such horrible post-earthquake suffering. Yet it was also amazing to see the human response to the tragedy. Israel was there without questions asked to set up the first field hospital with its own radiology dept and full operating capabilities. It was incredible, and inspiring.

Hearing about the QLD floods makes was a reminder that life can turn upside down very quickly without me being able to control it. I need to appreciate what I have and stop feeling sorry for myself and think that I'm hard done by.

El crecimiento aceleradísimo de la violencia y la inseguridad en México. De verdad, el vivir con miedo, con incertidumbre, ver que aquellas cosas que parecían de película de terror suceden en la casa de uno... bueno, es terrible. Ahora no salgo, cualquier persona me da desconfianza, y en general todo es miedo.

Can't think of any right off except it seems like there are so many natural disasters and it makes me think the end of times is sooner than we think. Makes me a little nervous and makes me want to baptize my son.

Japan -- the horror of the tsunami, and of the slow unfolding nuclear disaster -- a mini Unetaneh Tokef ("who by fire and who by water"), and a call to sustainability.

Seeing all the drama in the middle east, because it made me feel so privilaged to live in this country.

The Arab Spring has toppled dictators and brought hope of democracy to a part of the world whose future affects the US greatly. Though we haven't begun to see the long-term effects and changes for better or worse.

I was deeply moved by the recent tragedies in Japan--earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plant meltdown. For a country to go through that many tragedies would mean lives lost, economic downturn, and families suffering. I don't think anybody deserves that kind of suffering.

In the natural world, the Japanese tsunami took my breath away. I’ve had strong reactions to other natural disasters, but I’ll never forget seeing that irresistible force sweep away whole buildings. In a way, the ongoing events of the “Arab Spring” are having a similar impact as they overwhelm institutional structures that no one imagined could fall so suddenly. And now I wait with bated breath to see whether the political and economic forces currently being unleashed in this country will transform our lives just as significantly. Unfortunately, I feel almost as powerless to affect the outcome in this instance as I did in the other two.

The danger to Israel from without, and the danger of the strains of its moral society from within.

The tsunami that hit Japan - I lived in Japan for a while and I've been back many times for holidays. While I'm not familiar with the area that was affected, I have a strong bond with anything Japanese, and I know that it will be difficult for them to rebuild. I'd love to go back again on holiday, but the issues with the Fukushima nuclear power plant make it difficult.

I think the legalization of gay marriage in New York state and the recent overturn of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" impacted me because it made me realize that maybe people are becoming more tolerant, and that equal rights for everyone is on the way. As much violence, hatred, and negativity as there is in the world, it was nice to experience some positive changes that hopefully indicate larger things to come across the country.

New York passing Marriage Equality gave me hope for the future of all the different people in this country trying to get along better.

Alot has impacted me in the world this past year... all enforced the thought of morality and how life is too short and the need to change and help each other in any way possible.

The insanity in the financial world is definitely impacting us directly. Our retirement fund is deeply injured, and we can't sell the condo for love or money. I keep working to build our retirement, and those selfish, arbitrary fools keep knocking down my work. Sometimes it feels very demoralizing.

Honestly I do not watch the news much since I do not have a TV. What I have heard had mostly been a high number of natural disasters (earthquakes, flooding), the aftermath of those (the leaking nuclear plant). The rest of what I hear is the fighting over the economy, politicians fight about what to cut, what not to cut, while so many people are out of work, and are looking. Overall i just am finding the world a scary place, one I do not wish to bring children or animals or anything into. I wish we knew the right answers to get out of this global mess, but more so I wish people would think more about what they are doing and the impact it will have, and be good people. How much of the housing mess would have been avoided if people really thought about what they were doing?

The recession and its impact, personal and local and global: effecting the resources we have to sustain us as we age, our state forced to reckon with the role and financing of government, our public sector, the nation and globe facing a shift to a post-American order.

It's been a powerful year all over, but I'd say the over throwing of Mubarrak (spelling) highlighted to me the power of collective consciousness and human movement to achieve change. This had a dominoe affect across the region that has many regimes quaking in their boots..

It's kind of alarmist I guess, but it's weird how there are just so many catastrophes and upheavals. Natural disasters point to this kind of retaliation by the earth itself against all humankind and at the same time the outbursts of activism and agitation across the world just makes me think that we are at the edge of something big either a downward spiral towards doom or towards a kind of new world order. At the same time I think if the problem is too much media attention and how that affects all these things.

The earthquake in japan really affected me this year because it made me question a lot of things. It was such a big event that affected so many people, and it wasn't even anyone's fault. It makes you wonder what will happen in the next minute because life is so precious. I just wish i could do something to help but i don't know how to make people feel loved and that it will be okay because we don't even know if we are going to make it through till tomorrow.

The Egyptian riots. I got much more interested in the current situation in the Middle East. Not only from a Jewish perspective, however mainly from an Arab understanding. Are these people suffering? What is really going on there? Are Palestinians just pawns to the Arab world? I don't know what I can do, however through the Egyptians which I met when I was there, I can only hope that they are ok. I remember meeting a boy who was 21, my age, and we were so different. He walked a camel for a living, heckling travellers and struggling with his family. He told me that his parents went to school, and his sisters could as well. However they stopped when they were 12. He didn't even try and hit on me.

So many, but mainly I'm thinking about the awful state of the economy. I'm about to enter the workforce again and I fear there will be no jobs, or at least no good jobs, for me.

I can't believe how depressing politics and the economy have become. It's hard to keep from letting it drag me down. I even feel guilty just for having (thus far) weathered things fairly well...

I hate to say it, but I'm hard pressed to think of one. Sure, the decline of print made me lose my job in journalism, and the current messed up banking system will lead me to lose my home, but still these feel like personal dramas rather than a small part in a global drama. Perhaps it's a part of me disentangling my persona from that of a news person, but I don't feel I particularly WANT to be part of a bigger news story.

So many awful world events have taken place in the past year from natural disasters to crime and famine. I think for me the one that had the most impact was the assylum seeker drownings off Christmas Island. I wonder what my life would be like or if I would even be here if Australia had not welcomed WWII immigrants like my parents and the incredible contribution immigrants have made to this country. Why have we as a society become so narrow minded, mean and suspicous? There's plenty to go around - after all we are the Lucky Country and immigrants helped to make it one.

The Occupy Wall Street protests have filled me with hope and trepidation. I wish I could be there to help out.

The nuclear meltdown in Japan is definitely going to affect my time over there. I'm meant to leave in 3 weeks and it's all up in the air - I don't even have a passport yet but I'm determined to get there!

The droughts in West Africa. Because the world doesn't have to be like this with some people's greed fueling others' destruction. And because it could be prevented if people helped now, but they need to be shown starving babies and piles of dead people before they'll do anything, so they can then self-congratulation for helping. Makes we angry that people have to be guilt tripped into charity (and I also don't like receiving the guilt trip literature from the charities I support or the people who try to catch you on the streets at least twice a week in London, but I guess they think it works for the above reasons) - I know I don't give much and I have strong views on what charities I will support, and sometimes I feel guilty for avoiding the on the street charity representatives, but at least I try to do what I can.

The recession always make me more anxious about money. Selfish it may be, but it does make me question decisions I've made and influence decisions I have to make. I guess it's only a good thing.

This year being the 10 year anniversary of the September 11 atatcks made me think about so many things...it reminded me how scared I felt as a 13 year old child when the whole thing was happening, and how my heart would stop every time I heard an aeroplane or saw an aircraft near buildings. It reminded me of how quickly things can change and how the world comes together when things like this happen.

Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami. In a way I suffered culture shock to see Japanese stoicism to face tragedy, and I admired them precisely because of it ... waiting in line for hours to get water or food, helping each other inspite of being on the same situation, the thousands of volunteers who went to help, the organizations that collected water, food and supplies to help survivors.

Probably the Tea Party emerging, just because it will keep me motivated to voting, because they are just awful.

The economy. Having a spouse who works in the building industry, in an already-depressed state (Michigan" has been rough. So many people have left - but many of us can't leave, due to family obligations, so we try to make the best of it. It seems as though it's getting a little better, but I'm afraid to think that it truly is. At this point, we owe more on our house than it's worth, and there's little doubt that eventually, we're going to have to walk away from it. I hope it improves such that we won't have to, but I just don't know. It's scary. For us, for our children.

Nothing in the world has had much impact on me. I am financially secure and astute; I am politically cycnical and neutral. As a result, I just watch the world and am amazed by its craziness and irrationality. I expect the worst and therefore seldom disappointed. Since I lead a somewhat internal life rather than an external one, the world has little impact.

The "Arab Spring" uprisings have made me think a lot about Israel and its future. On the one hand, it is promising and encouraging to think that these countries will become democracies and treat their citizens with the human rights that they deserve and which have been often withheld, but on the other hand, I worry a lot that anti-Israel sentiment will become a cheap method of getting public support and may lead to a worsening of the situation (as is starting to happen already with Turkey).

I feel the nuclear meltdown following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has and will affect us all. How, and to what extent I do not know, but it is already affecting us. Somehow, we are all different because of this. I may not know how it affected me before I leave this earth but it is having an effect. My life is somehow changed because of this and there is really nothing I can do about it.

A lightening strike hit the great dismal swamp and it caught on fire preventing me from taking a swamp tour :( I also felt my first earthquake! However it took me an hour to learn that that's what it was!

all of the flooding and earthquakes. remind me of how little we really need and what is really imprortant. as long as we have our loved ones and can make a positive impact on their lives through our own thoughts and actions, that is all that is really important. the rest is a big bonus, and we need to share that relelntlessly

The DC earthquake was something interesting that happened this year. It was nerve wracking initially before we understood it was an earthquake. It also proved that my evacuation plan was not as solid as it should be for living in DC.

The recent amount of natural disasters that have been occurring. I am starting to have more confidence in the human spirit and the caring for others that I have seen and heard about. It shows that people can really pull together and help each other, now if only we could get everyone to do this all the time and not just when there was a natural disaster.

President Obama's killing of Osama Bin Laden. It was an incredible victory for the United States. He was the mastermind behind 9/11 - not Saddam Hussein and not Iraq. For that one moment, during the press conference, I was proud of our country and our president. He had made a promise to us during his election campaign that he would find and kill Osama and he made good on that promise.

The protest throughout the middle east have been inspiring. People rising up and risking everything for issues larger than themselves. It nice to see a concern for the greater good - not just the individual. Now if we could experience that here.

The 10th Anniversary of 9/11. I was there in New York that day 10 years ago so it was very powerful to think back to that time to remember what was lost and hope for peace in the future.

The Obama presidency. Our mortgage business has taken a major hit from the economy although I don't feel the president really controls the economy. What he does control is his out of control spending. If this keeps up his push towards socialism will break our country.

the killing of osama bin laden. I am glad that he is gone, and appalled that our government murdered him. His hatred continues to warp us.

in jsut the past few weeks the Northeast coast of the US has experienced both an earthquake and a hurricane, both in the same 10 days. These events made me realize a few things - it is not just the rest of the country that lives in danger of natural disasters like these - this sort of destruction can happen anywhere. More so, it does make me realize I need to appreciate each day, my safety, ability to go about doing my day the things I need and want. Many people lost homes, businesses and lives in "natural" disasters every year. Be thankful for what we have, and live life to the fullest!

Definitely the civil war in Libya and other conflicts in the Middle East. It just broke my heart.

The 10th anniversary of September 11th. I remember it like it was yesterday and I don't think I'll go a year without thinking about it. I also got to go to New York this year for work and the whole time I was there I just kept thinking about the skyline, and how different it looked. September 11th will never be forgotten. Ever.

The Palestinian bid through the UN for statehood was very upsetting. After visiting Israel last December, I feel a close connection to Israel. At the same time, I find the issues dividing the countries confusing...but my loyalty to Israel is strong. I fear that the Palestinian's are getting more savvy in their political and public relations, which could be to Israel's detriment. The Arab "Spring", which holds such hope for democracy also scares me. Since the freedom loving people aren't "organized", I fear the Islamic militants will take control, further putting Israel and even Americans at risk.

I think the instability in the world economy has had the greatest direct effect on my life, but intellectualy I am more concerned with the changes in the mid-east. Israel has never had a more existential threat in it's history, IMNSHO. The Palestenians are going through legitimate means, like the UN and the EU, as opposed to killings and terrorism. Unless Israel recognizes the changing face of the mid-east landscape, they truly might protect themselves into nothingness. The Israeli's have forgotten their Nietchze. Beware fighting monsters, lest you become one.

The recession has made me really think about how i spend money because I feel I am very lucky to have a job and know that this is something that can change in the blink of an eye.

Japan's 9.1 earthquake. Took it as a wake up call, an alarm, a call to look at the world, collapsing, crumbling. The world is ending soon. Yet, we have a hope.

Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. This gives me hope for a future where everyone is able to be themselves without fear of persecution.

Well I live in Wisconsin and live with a union member, so the measures to curb unions by our new Republican majority definitely impacted us. It's the first time in a long time I can remember going to a rally for anything.

The current political climate is absolutely schizophrenic. I think more and more citizens are realizing it is all bullshit, thus Occupy Wall Street happening in September 2011. More and more I'm psyching myself into jumping off my current lifestyle's ledge and diving into the world of travel and self business.

The downfall of our economy!!! It's making me worry about my future.

The deep sea oil spill of the gulf of mexico reminded me how the human race relies on oil. I wonder whether BP were saving money as prices soared and that led to the explosion and subsequent spillage. They appeared desperate.

This is so trivial...the Earthquake in Japan caused a long delay in getting the Fuji X100 camera that I wanted. Is that shallow? I guess so...

I have felt very detached from the world this year. I suppose the only excepting would be the riots in London. They were barely mentioned or talked about at home, so I felt as though my family was neglecting the world's needs. I know that there isn't much that one family in Massachusetts can do for a situation like that, but our lack of awareness was disconcerting.

the sit-in on wall street! I feel like finally there is some big political expression that reflects how I feel. This is one of the first that I can remember in my lifetime.

The continuing lack of response to global warming is in itself significant and scary. Since it is a sign of the anti-scientific attitude in this country and the horrible attitude of the right, it is especially noteworthy.

My beloved Israel is always in my prayers. Technologically, more innovations continue to change the way the world runs. I am impacted by wireless innovations that continue to astound me and remind me to think creatively and strategically.

I started to answer this question by saying that I cannot say that there has been an event that has impacted me. However, the recent events of Troy Davis being excuted is probably the single event that I felt some pull towards. Unlike, say, the current events in Israel, wherein Jews in and around NYC always seem to have an opinion, I don't feel any closeness Israelis in much the same way they probably don't feel too much close to the U.S.; I've never visited Israel, I'm not Israeli, and I don't agree with many of the policies there (both secular and religious). But the Troy Davis execution had more of an impact. For me, just reading and seeing such viceral reactions and knowing that if you just changed one or two aspects, such as race, in all likelihood a different outcome would result, it highlights that plenty of work still needs to be done to look beyond race and skin color.

The protests again a destructive state bill. I was part of these on a regular basis, and it allowed me to remember that my voice is important. My involvement connected me with others of like mind and brought gratitude for the amazing community I live in.

There's been many. Natural disasters seem to had taken a big toll in humanity this year. I am grateful to still be here when so many are no longer alive. The tsunami in Japan made an impression on me. Even more the poise of the Japanese people upon facing such catastrophe. I've gained a lot of admiration from them and I wish I could behave the same way if I was one day in their shoes.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11.

An event that happened in the world this past year that impacted me was September 11th. For some reason this year felt different then every other year I have lived in NYC during its anniversary. Even though this year was special because it was 10 years, I think the fact that it occurred on a weekend and I wasn't busy at work, made it different for me. I was home in my apartment, just 4 blocks from the Empire State Building, a landmark that obviously could be threatened at any time. All of my relatives in other states were worried about me being in the city on this day, but I was not going to leave. I knew in my heart nothing would happen, and I was right. It made me feel an overwhelming sense of pride for my city and country, to stand up and not fall to the fear of what "could happen." After all, nothing happened, and for some reason that day sticks out in my mind.

While not close to home, and not often in my mind, the uprisings and revolutions in Middle East that started in the last year and are continuing today have impacted my perspective a great deal. It makes me proud to be part of a young generation that makes up the force behind the cities, towns, homes, and parks being uprooted for the betterment of these oppressed communities. It also heightens my gratitude that their struggle is not my own, that I live in a peaceful society and my safety or liberty is not threatened every day.

We have had two elections this year and are having a third this week. One of these elections is federal. One of these is municipal and the one this week will be provincial. As the country to the south. Our federal and municipal governments have become exceedingly conservative and punitive toward the poor. Our legisation and budgeting have had devastating consequences thus far and if we have a provincial government with the same outlook we will have more and more homeless people and people without access to healthcare and people on the street due to a lack of housing as these are no longer a priority. This affects me as I work with elderly seniors in poverty. Many of them have disabilities, no families and mental health problems. This will affect me directly through my job. But not as much as it will affect them for certain.

The PLO asked for the UN to recognize its statehood, I am not sure how it will play out but if it affects the safety and security of Eretz Israel then it will affect me, my family, and the entireity of the Jewish people and the world.

The uprisings in the Arab world have been compelling for many reasons. Mainly, it's fascinating to watch a society that has been oppressed by dictators and corrupt regimes for thousands of years rise up in the face of that oppression. These activists are providing daily examples of what it means to live by one's words and beliefs, even in the face of harm or death. We in America could take a lesson from this set of priorities, instead of sitting back in the lap of affluence, criticizing those around us with whom we disagree.

The combination or environmental issues and economy. The economy problems really started feeling "real" to us this year, from job loss, the housing market, and really watching the budget and cutting out things like travel and shopping. That is happening all over the world, and is often coupled with the environmental problems (even here), droughts preventing people from growing food and keeping animals alive. I wish I could help more by giving money, but we have to be careful right now. One thing we've decided we can do is minimize our consumption and negative environmental impact.

I think it is almost the opposite. There were so many disasters, so much political turmoil, so many natural and man-made problems. But life continued on. In fact, things in our home town continued almost without noticing. I think it has made me realize more that it in the grand scheme of things, it just doesn't matter what happens in the world. The only thing that you can change or interact with is local. Local and super-local (like family) is what counts in the end.

The final missions of the Space Shuttle still filled me with pride at being an American, but knowing that this era of scientific achievement is over made me experience a sense of sadness. My sadness is also tinged with a tiny bit of anger that we are leaving this responsibility to be carried out by others--whether that be the Russians or private entrepreneurs.

I would say the 10th anniversary of September 11th really impacted me. The reason being is it helped me to reflect back on the past 10 years of my life and see how much I have changed from an 11 year old boy to a 21 year old man. The thoughts that I had about this horrible event back then are so different than what I think now.

The earthquakes/tsunami in Japan. I have never seen such devastation. It had me completely engrossed. and with the continual earthquakes cropping up around the globe, I was reminded of the sheer force or nature and that life is entirely too short. And we NEVER know how short.

the eoconomic crisis has actually helped me, since monetary support has remained available to me as i rebuild my work life.

This year was the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I really tried to avoid a lot of the coverage on it because it was so awful when it happened, that I really did not want to revisit it. The financial collapses are happening all over the world (and here in the U.S.) are scary. I am not sure how it will effect me personally, but it is becoming harder to find a job, or maybe just one in my field. It has also been interesting that the media is not covering the Wall Street protests.

The riots in the Middle East had an impact on me this past year. I have friends who live in some of the areas affected and I was afriad for the saftey. It was one of the few times I was able to emerge from my "American bubble" and recongize something that was going outside of my own country.

Ugh. This. Well, probably Mr. Orland. That was just a total shock when we found out. I'm still very uncomfortable with it all. I have never discussed it with Amanda, and I hope when I read this next year, I will have more insight into what happened. I think it was more impactful (that's not even a word) because of theme concert. Since that concert was the last band concert I would partake in, I was just so heartbroken that he wasn't there to share that time with us. Now I know that I am happy he wasn't there, but still. I am afraid of ever seeing him again and I've had many bad dreams about what our first encounter will be like. I also just realized that this asked about an event in the world... oops. I don't know. Is it sad if I count DH2 as an major world event. Because it is. I don't need to explain the importance of that to me.

The economic downturn. We've been fortunate to keep our jobs in our family, but I feel like I'm surrounded by so many in pain, suffering, hopeless.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 gave me pause. thinking back to that morning when my kids called me to see the news interrupting their cartoons. a lot has changed.

the execution of troy davis left me stunned. legal lynching is still alive and well in the usa. i sincerely hope that this puts us even closer to aboloshing the death penalty. an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

The upcoming election. I have been amazed at the popularity of the Republican party, and the hatred for others in its message. I am becoming more vocal and activist in my feelings, as I have come to believe that a lot of the popularity of the party is due to ignorance of what it stands for by those who vote for it.

The Palestinian statehood / isolation of Israel thing bothers me greatly. I fear we are going the way of Europe towards islam and it makes me sorry I had children. My country is losing its identity and its greatness and I feel guilty that I've brought my kids into a world that could turn very ugly.

Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal. I know it doesn't make that big of a difference yet but I think it is a great step for gay rights.

Arab Spring. When Mubarak was toppled, I was for a minute hopeful for democracy and peace in the Middle East. I saw an opportunity for Israel to make major changes and take steps towards peace. With the storming of the Israeli embassy in Cairo last month, I'm now less hopeful.

The 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks had a transforming effect on me. Through the coverage of memorials and tributes, I think I truly saw the events of that day for the first time (I was 15 years old when the attacks happened). At different times, whether it was reading about the ground zero memorial or listening to former president Bush give a moving speech, I felt like I gained a new outlook on my mortality, the spirit of humanity and the meaning of life itself.

This year was the 10th anniversary of September 11. Ten years later, Americans still have really complex emotions about that day and what it meant for our country. For me, I still don't really know how to understand what happened that day. I can only relate to the individual stories. The huge numbers lost that day just are too overwhelming. It's the individual stories that resonate with me. I think it's also becoming important to Americans to put that day into perspective a little. I mean, more people die in this country every day from preventable causes than died on 9/11. I think it's becoming more appropriate to frame that day in that way. It's a time for us to feel pain, but also pay attention to how the rest of the world sees us, and take an opportunity to be better to our own citizens and the citizens of the world.

Osama Bin Laden getting killed has affected me in a positive way in that I feel a page has been turned. And it makes me feel good that it was on my favorite president's, President Obama's, watch!

They killed Osama bin Laden. I felt very ambivalent. On the one hand, Osama bin Laden the terrorist is dead - isn't that great? Right? But at the same time, this is a man. A human being. And he's dead now. We are responsible for killing him. How can I be happy about that? Does it in any way make up for all the deaths he's responsible for, directly or indirectly? I don't know. I am glad that what he stands for lost him, but I am not glad that we killed a man and then celebrated it.

There have been so many earthquakes happening. Japan, the East coast, the West coast. I have never heard of so many. It doesn't scare me, or even threaten me really. I feel safe, but it does make me think about all the negative energy that must be circulating through the Earth, from us humans, that is causing such a disruption in the land. I know that it is all gearing up towards this shift in the universe that is happening in 2012, but I am just curious as to what the aftermath will be as far as my life is concerned.

The natural disasters that took so many lives and uprooted so many families reinforced, for me, just how small this world is. It's easy to sit back and think the US is the only country on the planet, but when significant world news happens and you see the faces of the people from other countries, particularly in suffering, you realize we truly are all one. The events made me want to do everything I can to help.

I was shocked that in two separate incidents (Toronto and Brooklyn), police officers instructed women to change the way they dressed (a la not like "sluts") in response to sexual assault upticks. Is this 2011?

I think the coverage of the tenth anniversary of 9/11 had a greater impact on me than I suspected. I am somewhat insulated living in the midwest. Remembering, watching the news coverage, listening to survivors' stories and to stories about loved ones lost make me feel profoundly sad, and grateful.

The anniversary of 911 moved me greatly to see beyond my own suffering and dark memories of the event. I found out that a good friend made in recent years lost her fiance in one of the planes that hit the tower - as he was flying to meet her for an answer to the proposal. Her grace and strength in sharing her story humbled me. We're human because we love, are vulnerable, and suffer.

The massive snow storm in New York over Christmas impacted me, since all flights were delayed from Florida's fort lauderdale airport. I was stranded, trying to get home in time to work my new waitressing job, with my parents in Key West, 4 hours away from the airport. I was at the airport, alone, unsure of what to do, when Alan suggested calling his parents, who lived nearby. They were happy to come fetch me, and they took such amazing care of me. We only spent 3 days together or so, but I learned so much from them about life and love and how to go about tough times--Elliot Denniberg suggested I read "Conversations with God" with i did, and which changed my perspective a lot of what was possible. We also watched Paul McCarteney and others recieve awards for their artistic contributions, and I felt inspired again to be an artist. It was a blessing in disguise, out of the many i have, staying with Alan's parents which the snow in the New York was the most it had been in years.

There are so many events everyday that it is difficult for me to pinpoint just one. The stories I keep coming back to involved children. Stories about bullying incidents, about children being murdered or abused...it just is too much to take all in after awhile. I has always made me wonder how this could be happening in such a world as this. Sometimes things seem so calm and wonderful then a truly horrific sotry will come out and I come crashing back to "reality". We ar ein the midst of trying to change the culture at the school I work at from one of bullying to one of safety. The roadblocks that are there from the :old school" type of thinking is amazing. This will be an ongoing process and I just hope we can get through it unscathed but wiser.

The ongoing financial crisis is an ongoing effect. I think in some ways I can say I am more grateful for what I have.

Due to all the things going on worldwide, now I just don't believe in polititians anymore.

It feels like there were so many tragedies in the world this year. They make me feel helpless - I only have a certain amount of money to give, and I can't go anywhere to help fix them.

The death of Osama bin Laden. He was a leader in the Middle East who was a part of 9/11 and other devastating attacks and events in the world. I'm a very patriotic and prideful American and when people from other countries try to "take us down," I get upset. The people of the world need to learn to embrace each other and treat each other equally.

Watching the events of the Arab Spring has made me much more hopeful for humanity. Seeing people spontaneously rise up against very powerful states that have elaborate security apparati designed to supress them - and for those people to be successful - has kept me from becoming too cynical. Tahir Square gives hope to people everywhere that non-violent action can overcome evil (even if it doesn't work everywhere in every circumstance) - sometimes people power is sufficient.

The economic crisis has made me do a lot of thinking about my own financial situation and also about ways to "give back" by volunteering to help those who are less fortunate.

Watching hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc. ... makes me wonder what's up with Mother Earth. Then environmental disasters ... oh my goodness! What's up with us!?! In the USA - watching the two parties battle eachother for supremecy -- neglecting the people who elected them! What's up with that?

As shameful as it may sound, there isn't a single event outside of my own immediate life which has impacted me (at least not in the manner of this question). I've spent so much time recovering, rebuilding, reshaping my own life, that I have stayed away from outside events, news, political discussions, etc.

I do not really let the outside world effect my life. It is my life to live.

I have to admit that I haven't been impacted by world events much this year. I don't watch network television and I don't look at much news on the internet so I've been sheltered from much of the sensationalism of news stories. I think I've been most interested in the chain of revolutionary activity in Africa and the middle east. The uncertainty of the future is illustrated in my combined hope for those countries and the knowledge that things could likely get worse for the people who live there.

An event that impacted me this year was attending BBYO's International Convention in Los Angeles, California. I made many new friends from around the world and they too help me strive to be the best leader that I can be.

I was captivated by the Arab Spring. Given my Judaism and thus my connection to Israel, I used to consider it a given that the realist foreign policy of propping up dictators that clamped down on security was the only way to preserve Israel's security and independence. Now, although the results of the Arab Spring are still largely TBD, my faith in self-determinative abilities of largely anti-Israel populaces to seek peace and grow as independent nations without threatening Israel's security is growing. It also provides a stark contrast to American nation-building in the Middle East and shows just how wrong I was about Iraq.

The killings in Israel of innocents. It has made my drive to move to Israel more pressing. I want to be with and defend my people and my state.

Just the continued wars that the U.S. is in--they have made me sad, and sad that I don't make more time to be politically active. If anything at this point, I'd like to do something to help the veterans who have returned.

The imposition of the death penalty in Georgia. It is inhumane, vicious and wrong. And it takes a big toll on my wife, who works defending convicts on the row. Also, the passage of HB 87 an anti-immigarnt measure here. It has created more clients for me, as an immigration lawyer, but also more fear in the immigrant community. On the positive side, I was glad to see the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Overall, it seems world events have been a bit bleak. Or at least the ones that get press. I was impressed with how undocumented students in Georgia responded to the HB 87 madness, however.

hydrofracking activism. It feels accessible, tangible, hugely relevant. We can move things in the world!

The continuing division in the United States into conflicting entities of Democrat vs Republican has brought home the realization that people do not always work towards the best interests of each other, of their country. I also have come to believe that racism is very much alive in the US but wears a new coat. I believe most of the resistance President Obama is experiencing is racism cloaked as politics, a fiscal responsibility, as altruism. It makes me very sad for this country.

The earthquake in Japan has had the most impact on me this year. My boss was in Japan when the earthquake hit and I became extremely worried for him and his family. Thankfully, he was able to get out of the country within a day and a half. But the devastation that hit the country and the Japanese people was a tragedy... The tsunami hit shortly after and devastated not only towns but the power plants. The men that gave their lives trying to stop the power plants from blowing was heroic. They knew they were not going to make it and they stayed anyway. It showed me how self-less people can be and had me look at areas of my life where I can be more self-less...

The economic depression has impacted me. I worry a lot more and live at the edge of poverty. It is hard not to be able to afford underwear when I need it. I hope that it does not get worse.

I feel like a part of the adult world now and the economy is terrifying. Once we bought our house, I became invested in the housing market. I wonder if our house will be able to hold value, I am increasingly thankful that we both have reliable income sources, and I worry about my own career trajectory. I feel so lucky right now, but I worry that I won't always be and I want to be prepared if things stay bad or even get worse. I am afraid to invest my money because the market seems so bad and I feel so helpless and naive.

"It's the economy, stupid." Isn't that a quote from somebody famous? The cost of gas is crazy, and I'm even considering increasing my commuting distance. Don't get me started on the cost of food. And as far as the cost of entertainment...Let's just say that I cannot extol the virtues of the public library with enough gusto. I won't gripe about it. I'll live smarter, simpler, and figure it out. Also thank God for my mother and the small nestegg my dad left her when he died the year I turned 22. The economy is no match for my family's support and my own creativity. At least this year.

There were so many things that happened in the last year, but none are really sticking out as having a huge impact on me. I mean I was aware of the big earthquakes, and nulclear meltdowns, oil spills, riots, etc. But as much as I may have been interested in watching and knowing what was going on, nothing really impacted me a lot. Though, legalization of gay marriage in NYC was a great day. :)

The tsunami in Japan. It happened not long after the death of my husband, and I feel I felt the pain of the survivors much more deeply and intensely than I might have otherwise. My compassion and empathy have been heightened. I wept with them.

The recession. The sadness of it all. The appearance it isn't getting any better. The hopelessness of the news that appears to be going downhill. The reality that our government is uncapable of balancing themselves, thus teaching the people there is no reason for them to bother, thus encouraging the vicious cycle. It makes me sad, I don't see us coming out of it, and I don't see the people who need to work together, working together, because their walls aren't falling in...they just continue to take. I hope when I read this next year, our government will have figured out how to balance themselves, even if it makes people angry, because in the end, that is the only way we will heal. We can't keep spending because we are afraid we will lose a vote if someone doesn't get something they think they should.

Osama Bin Laden's assassination. Among the obvious reasons, this event impacted me in the way I found out about his death- via twitter. It amazes me how much we rely on social media and how instantaneously we expect our news.

The revolution in Egypt has inspired me. Arab Spring seems to be a wonderful thing with the promise of more freedom for so many people. I hope that the promise is fulfilled and does not turn dark or harmful toward its dreamers. I hope that other countries, including the US, will become more democratic.

The polarization of American politics has really struck me... for the worse. There is no longer debate, discussion, and agreement in this country. We have become a "my way or the highway" society with no room for compromise. It is a sad and frightening thought that our political leaders are willing to sacrifice the better welfare of the country just to achieve their goal of making sure the other guy doesn't get elected.

I've been so focused on smaller things I've hardly noticed a lot of what's going on in the world which is sad to say. Perhaps I should rephrase that to say that the major world events that have transpired this year have had very little impact on me. Since I've been so focused on my health and mental state, as well as that of my family world events have been lower on my radar. The world financial crisis had a lasting effect on me. But my world feels very small right now. I've been aware of different things. Protests and atrocities and politics but from where I am right their impact on my life seems very minimal right now.

The death of Osama Bin Laden impacted me in an odd way. While he is despised as a foe of the USA, the way that our American Seals killed him--summarily shooting him down while he was watching TV in his compound, where other family members were present--and the way that our government and news media chose to present this information to the viewing public seemed melodramatic at best, a rather dirty and nasty end to years of assumed pursuit of this despot. While I don't hold any love in my heart for bin Laden, I think he should have been captured and held for trial--not shot and then dumped in the water. Let him answer to the public that his actions terrorized. The HUGE military operation that was played out embarrassed me a bit.

The release of Amanda Knox in Perugia, Italy. She was railroaded and now receives justice. To me she represents women who are accused of horrendous acts with no real proof. Her liberation feels wonderful to me. I am thrilled for her and her family. Go, Amanda!

The Arab Spring uprisings... It's humbling to me that people will really fight, really organize themselves and put their lives on the line to protest unfair government.

I don't know. Still I feel like I'm not connected to the larger world. PErhaps the tent city in Tel Aviv- to remember how important civil services are. Perhaps the economic downturn, because we were able to buy our wonderful house as an REO...

The economy has had a dramatic psychologial effect on me over the past year. The mind set of frugality and conserving and spending carefully has been so positive. I thank my mom for her creative approach to money and teaching me how "less" can be just as much fun as "more!"

I honestly don't know. I haven't kept up, simply because I want to believe the very best of this world and all of the wonderful people in this world! TV is extremely negative and hurtful. I don't watch it.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has given me such hope that this next generation really GETS how our system much change if there is to be any room at the economic table for them (and everyone else). The idea of seeking financial JUSTICE for all and not just profits for corporations as a good idea that is spreading brings joy to this old commie heart!

This whole mess with the Australian government has been really annoying. I keep getting very angry with all of the politicians, especially Tony Abott. He's such a mysoginistic asshole. Also the conflict and revolution that's happening around the middle east and the financial crisis that's happening around the world. These have been giving me hope and causing me worry at the same time. I hate war so much and it really upsets me.

The Palestinian declaration of independence/attacks on Israel. Though violence is common in that part of the world it became more personal to me because my (ex-)boyfriend was living in Israel, and serving in the military. My consciousness became heightened and I was a bit anxious. What happened there could very definitely affect my life and personal relationships and, if not my own, easily those of people I know and love.

The Fracking Industry set its sights on my homeland. I feel terrified, horrified, sad. Yet, still all I have done is send emails, sign petitions and talk about it with several people. (Well, I guess that is pretty good, but I think I should do more.)

The execution of Troy Davis had a deep impact on me. I watched as the court refused to shift their position for the loss of face. But we are talking about an innocent man's life. The family of the victim wants closure, even if there is overwhelming evidence that Davis did not kill their loved one. Seeking revenge never releases you. When faced with conflict, we freeze, flee, or fight. We lose the ability to digest complexity and everything is simplified. But if the result of our lack of ability to process complexity is the loss of someone's life, we need to be able to step back, try to understand, and be open. I realized just how much we need to transform the way we look at conflicts and how we deal with transforming them. It's really not the what of the conflict, but HOW--the process we use to transform or resolve it--is what we really need to work on as a society. I am going to work the rest of my life addressing this question as a mediator.

The global economy has weakened so much that the world is a different place from what it was a year ago. It has impacted everyone I know in some way, especially those of us working in government or the non-profit sector as well as those of us who live paycheck to paycheck. Prices at the supermarket have sky-rocketed to nearly a third more than they were a year ago. But, my house is now worth half of what it was 3 or 4 years ago. Like many people, my own purchasing activities, retirement expectations and long range plans are now different.

Various reports of abuse of children and women. I continue to be appalled at the actions of many men in this world, and impressed that anyone can even get up in the morning with the kind of abuse that goes on.

The death of Osama Bin Laden. The figure head of terror in my childhood dead. The man we were hunting for ten years, from third grade to 12th, instantly dead. The shock was huge, and it felt like a new decade and era would begin.

I watched the London riots from a retreat in Belgium, following the stories of back home on the internet. It seemed like the fabric of our society disintegrating. I found it fascinating and horrifying.

When Saudi women were given the right to vote in September 2011. While I am not so knowledgeable in world rights and political stands, this affected me because when this news broke on twitter, my initial reaction was, ‘how can they not already have this right in the 21st century?’ It reminded me the power and freedoms that exist in democratic society, and whilst everything moves at a rapid pace on the internet, and in the western world, there still remains a less developed outlook on human rights, equality, and liberal thinking in the middle east and countries that are run by dogmatic laws.

The amount of national disasters has made me realize how special life is and how the favor of God is not fair but God is good.

The Christchurch earthquake in February had me in tears and still affects me. I came of age in that city and I saw it all crumpled and damaged with so much pain for the people living there. It still hurts.

Sderot. It's something that happens constantly, but this was the first time I've ever seen the destruction and carnage that the Gaza rockets are wreaking on the Israeli people. The media never shows that side of it... it's sickening. It taught me to take the media with a grain of salt and showed that things aren't always (and hardly ever) what they seem.

I think most recently the troy davis execution and the wallstreet protests. I realize that I have to stand up for something and actively pursue the things I believe in. It unfortunately takes a lot of shocking, heinous news to get most americans talking or even thinking about issues that deeply affect us all.

I think that the potential cuts to Planned Parenthood and the endangerment of reproductive rights opened to my eyes to the fact that women's bodies are still political and religious pawns. Our choices are still not completely our own and this regression made me realize how much work there still is to be done. No progress is permanent and we must continue to remain aware of our control over own bodies.

The economy has hit me hard - I thought I was immune to the downturn, thinking my career fit a niche need but like many other industries mine got hit and money ran out. First jobs and pay were reduced and now they've disappeared. To top it off, the IRS has decided to audit me! I don't make enough to pay my bills and yet they're hitting me instead of GE - crazy! At the same time, I have witnessed the extreme right-wing successfully defeat the powers for good and for the first time in my life I feel like giving up. We lost. This has made me feel sad, defeated and ready to give up and leave the country.

This year Osama bin ladin was killed. I felt a sense of relief because living so close to DC it was a constant fear and yeah I'm still scared but not as much. Also the man caused grief to so many people that (I know it sounds mean but,) I'm kind of happy he's gone and can't hurt anyone else

The 10th anniversary of the September 11th tragedy hit me very hard. I re-lived the sadness that I experienced that day. I felt anger at the animals who carried out the plot and was extremely saddened by the fact that the world was forever changed since that day. We no longer live in the world in which I grew up. It has become a much less safe ,more polarized, scarier place and I have little hope that the world will find a peaceful solution to the discord. We are no longer a "family of man" but we have reverted into warring tribes who cannot turn away from violence.

the earthquake in Haiti - the Tsunami in Japan - we had hurricane Katrina and BP oil spill - all of these so sad - have experienced some of the displacement, loss of sense of place and community - feel so badly esp for the old people who can never go home again - cut adrift ...

The protests in Wisconsin, my home state, over the redaction of union collective bargaining rights (etc) made me so proud to be from Wisconsin. The protestors worked so hard to be peaceful, intelligent, helpful, hopeful, and diligent, and showed that political action on a personal, local scale CAN make a difference.

The Christchurch earthquakes. I really like Christchurch and it seemed shocking that such a sweet little place would be left in ruin, and seeing the church and knowing that people in the church when the quake hit died was upsetting. Life really can be extinguished in an instant and I'd like to be more conscious of that.

My beat friend Margot, her mom died. Shes having a mental breakdown and I don't know how to help but I really wish I knew how. This is the first time someone I know and personally had a relationship with had died of cancer. It hit too close to me, and it's very hard to see my best friend the way she is now.

The last few months, seeing the potential Republican presidential candidates, is terrifying me.

Natural disasters. In a span of a week, an earthquake, hurricane, and tornado hit North Carolina. While these were all minor events where I am, it was SO scary! It makes me think of people who have experienced major natural disasters. I also think about Israel and people who get threatened with bombs – daily. When I was in a staff meeting and we got a text message that a tornado hit Durham and we needed to take shelter immediately – I thought of people in Israel who hear a bomb alarm and need to take shelter (specifically in Sderot) within 15 seconds. Psychologically, I don’t even know if I could call what these people go through PTSD – because there is no “post,” it is a continuous issue. I’m thankful that I don’t deal with this on a regular basis and I can’t imagine what it is like to live every day with that fear. Thinking about events in the world.. I follow Israeli news quite closely – but not so much with US News. I need to be better about being in-the-know with what’s going on here.

I feel jobs lost in the United States this past year has mde an impact on me. I give clothes, food, money to organizations because my husband was without a job and I know just one person helping makes a difference.

The drought in Texas was particularly severe. They say it could go on for 10 years. The land is cracked and brittle and miserable. For the first time, I actually gave up on my garden for several months. The heat didn't break until last week and I began to lose hope. On a larger level, I thought about how people survived this bullshit before water came out of a hose. I thought about the dust bowl. I don't want to live an inauthentic life and spew water down the storm drains. No wonder timothy egan called it the worst hard time.

the bad economy has made me think really hard about the greed in the world and how horrible we humans are to each other. i just think the world would be such a better place if people weren't so greedy. when you take, it means that someone else has to go without. and when you hoard, it slows the economy of the whole world. not everyone in the world can be a billionaire.

I remember watching the footage from the tsunami in Japan live, because I was at work overnight. It was gnarly in the worst way possible...the devastation as people's homes were swept away in a moment. Cars were thrown into each other, collecting in dams created by bridges or buildings. I couldn't believe it. There's a certain awe involved. I'm not sure what kind of awe...like a reverence for God and nature, but also a fear of Him/it because of the terrible outcome. I'm not sure what to think in that sense though...I know God is in control, but I don't think He caused this to happen necessarily. That's a different question and answer though, I'd say.

Japan's earthquake. I admire the japanese culture, because they are what they are because of their great ideals of overcoming the worst, coming back from the ashes and becoming the best. This hardworking is a reason of inspiration for me, and of admiration.

The uprisings in the Middle East were quite impressive to me as a child coming of age in the sixties; I had not seen that kind of mass movement effecting change in a long time. What also fascinated me was the role of new technology in the uprisings. I have a love/hate relationship with the new stuff: a wonderful tool, but at times, a frustrating, time wasting, depersonalizing experience. Pandora's box has been opened, and as with many things, tech brings with it new conflicts such as privacy concerns, and a change in human interactions.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan made me realize how insignificant money and technology are when you're up against nature itself. I also noticed how disasters have turned into a chic, marketable, PR product that everyone and everything wants to align with. Oh, and it's also the cause for a jillion benefit albums and events, although I'm sure pirated copies of the benefit albums saw more distribution than the ones that actually contributed anything to the relief effort.

The nearby Texas wildfires have inspired me to think about how I would choose to live, if I had to rebuild from nothing. Also about building community, since community support (donation drives, various charities) has been a huge part of the response to the fires. That is helping me continue my small steps towards minimalism.

The economic meltdown going on currently: It is impacting most of the human population, obviously at a financial level. However, it is also causing some to really look at the current system - the monetary system, the capitalist regimes etc. It has strengthened my perspective a little more, yet these events as a collective have made my perspective more flexible as I see varying opinions rising.

The war with Israel and Palestinians has really opened up my eyes to the kind of cruel people that this world holds. The people who don't care about others feelings and who don't respect others. It relates to me directly because I know people in Israel and I am also Jewish so it is scary to think that they are trying to kill our people just because of who we are and what we stand up for.

the 10th year anniversary of sept 11th. i really stopped to realise the enormity of what actually happened that day. especially those who decided to jump... one after the other... to their death instead of burn to death. i put myself in their shoes and tried to imagine what it felt like at that moment. also the people below who looked up and saw a plane fly into a building above them. and then to see it collapse above you. i also couldn't believe that 10 years had passed since that day. i couldn't help look at my own life and wonder what i've done with myself over these last 10 years. that yes things have changed, but not allll that much. that i am still looking for love and will i ever find it? will i still be looking for love in 10 years time? where will i be? what will my life be like? will i have kids? i hope so. I then bring back the thoughts to all those who have lost the love of their lives... so so sad. to suddenly have it taken away from you.

I was moved by the earthquake in Japan. It was hard to watch the unfolding tragedy of the damaged nuclear plant and those affected by it.

The unilateral Palestinian vote at the UN - made me realise how many flaws there are in Israel domestically - politicians more intent on garnering internal support and maintaining government than in fostering international understanding and working towards peace. This period cast a negative light over how I have come to see the conflict. I have come to believe that new leaders are required on both sides for the chance of peace to happen. At the same time, the Israeli-Palestinian AFL Peace team gave me hope that ventures are still flourishing on the ground to bring individuals together and promote unity and understanding. I have come to realise that it is these grassroot ventures that will have the largest, albeit slow, effect on shifting perceptions and shaping the leaders that Israelis and Palestinians need to guide them to peace.

The earthquake in Japan... Impacted me personally bc I have always held a fondness in my heart for Japan... its still happening over there and no one is paying attention.

The London/Birmingham/Manchester riots had a huge impact on me. Mostly because since going to Bath Spa I have made friends in all three of those cities, and I was concerned about them, particularly my then-boyfriend in Manchester. The thing that really resonated with me, however, was just how senseless it was. A perfectly civilised country can, following the example of a few idiots, descend into something so cruel, heartless and uncivilised. It's something that nobody could make sense of, and that's what made it so upsetting for me.

The massacre in Norway; all the twisted theologies, the fear and greed that fuel so much hatred, intolerance and arrogance were all in one person that day.

Killing bin Laden. I think the whole world is safer. Why? I think it's obvious, less nutjobs=greater safety.

The mid-term elections have forced me to rethink my political beliefs. I know longer think of the populace as rational, or generally good. It is also much more of a struggle to be respectful of those with him I disagree, as I no longer view them as misinformed, but rather some malignant combination of evil and insane. This is not a good place from which to start a productive discussion, and thus I feel myself withdrawing.

Now see I always find this a difficult question as nothing worldwide ever seems to affect me. I mean that in that I don't live in an area where catastrophe happens often. I suppose the financial crisis still affects me as it makes me think I "have" to stay in my current line of work or else I won't have a job/money. I'd eventually like to be doing something else (what, I don't yet know) but I don't think I can or want to do more than another 5-6 years of this job, it takes it out of me physically and mentally.

Watching the footage of the Tsunami in Japan and feeling a sense of horror at the devastation and loss of life.

The hurricane in Joplin reminded me that devastation can happen anywhere.

The budget debates in Washington D.C. Not sure if that's a world event, but it was a national event. It unfortunately shed a light on this country that I have been denying and avoiding--that money and power run this world, not the care and concern for others. It made me upset and helped me realize and solidify my own priorities--and that they are NOT like they are in those who run this world. It reminded me why I want to travel, and reinvigorated that desire to do that before I lose sight of it again.

Troy Davis, an innocent man, was executed. Racism, systemic oppression--so many forms of violence contributed. These issues hurt us all. We cannot continue to support violence.

The November 2010 elections were disastrous on so many levels. My state is rapidly moving backwards. Human rights are being hammered. Environmentalism is being attacked viciously, when I thought that the oil spill would wake people up. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The world is spiraling into a state that is past the turning point, while politicians argue and obstruct because of selfishness and greed, and the corporations make the laws. I am angry, resentful, depressed, and anxious about my future.

To be honest, I have been so withdrawn from the world, focusing on my family's dissolution, that I have barely noticed there is an outside world. The financial mess that the country is in has affected me. But not is a way that I have spent a lot of time dwelling on.

Not sure on this one

I still remain, for the most part, unaffected by the outside world. If it did not happen within my little circle, it is almost as though it never happened at all...

Climate change? I don't really know. 9/11 made it more difficult to travel and gulf oil spill and rising gas prices makes it harder to get around.

There were so many major global events this year, from the Arab spring, the killing of Osama bin Laden, the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and near failure of the European economic zone. The one that impacted me the most was the Japanese tsunami and earthquake devastation. I have never seen anything like that in my life. I experience my first earthquake on August 23, 2011 and it scared me terribly. I can't imagine living through quakes like that every day only to experience utter and total devastation of life on one day. It looked like the end of days. It made me realize how human we are and how we need to embrace our brothers and sisters across the globe in their time of need.

Breivik's massacre at Utøya. Deeply, because it shows the power of thoughts to neutralize empathy

The tenth anniversary of September 11 forced me to reconcile with my father's suicide on 9/11/92; it was the first time I wrote about it which caused me to examine a lot of suppressed feelings.

The BP oil spill stands out as the most memorable event of the last year. It showed everyone how far we have gone to serve our need for petroleum, and how much we justify the risks that we take.

Some US holidays became more meaningful, but I'm not sure why. I took a deeper interest in spending that day learning a little bit more about the holidays and our nation's history.

The recession (part 2?) has made things so hard. Every single day I hear stories on NPR of the world falling deeper and deeper into economic decline, and I worry for us. For me, for my family, for my country, for my planet. I truly hope something drastic changes to get us back on track and loosen up the grip of money fears.

Osama Bin Laden was killed and I didn't give a damn either way. I am deleveraging from American political happenings for better or worse and only plan to take it further upon our return.

The rise of the Tea Party has really gotten me down on people and politics. These people's views are insane and totally unworkable, but they have to be catered to because they have voting power. It is, I suppose, the danger of a democracy.

Hurricane Irene did major damage to my mom's house last month. In some ways it's brought the family closer, which is totally awesome and I'm going upstate much more than ever which is so good for me and it's beautiful and romantic, etc. And we're getting a new kitchen finally! Thanks to FEMA. I've a new found love for our government :o) The downside is that now i'm operating in hyper-mode with my care-taking patterns. I listened to mom's lethargic voice over the phone lamenting about what to do with her life and it's bringing up so many feelings for me.

hurricanes, earthquakes. it can be a harsh planet... even w/out input from mean people!

I can't choose a particular event because I feel like I've been so aware of tragic events this year that there is no hierarchy. I feel constantly sick and anxious keeping track of what's going on in the world. I wish I could be more hopeful.

The earthquakes around the world. The BP Spill. Endless war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The American Congress and the President. Forces of nature and of the arrogance of humans disturb me and have left me very uneasy about the future of the world.

I'm more impacted by the fact that the outside world has been overtaken by my more personal realizations: I'm mortal, I have a disease that, while manageable in the short run (the next ten, maybe fifteen years or so) gives me, even with the advanced medication available, a finite expanse of years. I'm an optimist; perhaps medical science will advance in time to help me more. Again, I'm an optimist: the prism of time through which I now look has helped me see myself as I really am, contrasted with expectations and salutations of others. I know more and more what I want to experience and achieve in the time I have yet to enjoy.

Troy Davis was killed. That the government of the United States of America, supposedly one of the most 'developed' countries in the world, could kill a man who is probably innocent, and certainly not undoubtedly innocent, shocked me to the core. I was never particularly strongly opinionated about the death sentence, but this made me realise that it is wrong. Because if one possible innocent like Troy Davis is killed for a thousand genuine rapists, that is enough to make it unquestionably wrong. And, ultimately, no judicial system is watertight enough to have the power of life and death in their hands, because humans should never have that power.

The earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, the BP oil spill, and the "Arab Spring" ... It has been amazing to watch how beautiful an awful people can be to each other, and to witness how powerful non-violent movements can be - and how violently some react to non-violence.

I think the Canadian election really impacted me this year. For the first time, I really payed attention to politics, and found that with that attention, I had a voice. It was wonderful knowing that with one small vote, I felt like I was doing something for my country, and I am proud to say that I voted!

I was really impacted by the tsunami in Japan; how devastating the effects of nature can be and how precious and precarious life is.

The earth quake that hit japan and the tsunami that followed, made me feel that the planet has a lot in store for us and we need to be ready, so i'm ready because life is a shake and a wash, and there's no rinse cycle.

Hurricane Irene. It cancelled my return trip from vacation, and I chose to stay 4 extra days in another city...I could have chosen to delay only 1 day, but to whose benefit? I got an extra 4 days vacation, and I thoroughly enjoyed the men in another city as a result. :)

The Arab spring. It all at once renewed my faith in humanity and completely crushed it. From the highest of hopes to the most pathetically predictable outcome (did we really expect a military government to uphold human rights and foster democracy?) in a matter of weeks. Still, so many people long for freedom, it`s coming. I am hopeful that I will witness in my lifetime one of the most significant upheavals of our century in the Arab world. It will probably be linked to a liberation of Islam from its extremes. One can dream, right?

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan cause such an outpouring of love and hope and service from the people I know. To be reminded that it is love that speaks more loudly than pain or tragedy.

I guess the events in Israel. With Natinyahu in charge, Israel now is the one not willing to compromise. I don't agree with his and Obama's decisions regarding the world or eachother but it does shine a new light on the problem. Also the PLO's bid for statehood in the Un was quite a shock.

Personally I was not impacted directly by any event, on a collective nature I am impacted by all the negative reactions to situations around the world. Until we all have true compassion for each other we will continue to live from a base of fear, rather than love.

The ongoing peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Over time I've become much less optimistic about the chances for peace and much more jaded over the true motivations of the Palestinian leaders.

Everything, this world is crazy...oil spills, tsuamis, hurricanes, etc...its amazing what goes on. I just pray for everyone to be happy and healthy!

The continuing economic worldwide recession has put a dark cloud over everything. Whenever I make any large purchases, it is with a sense of dread, rather than the usual excitement, and I fear that we are going to be continuing in this vein for much longer than originally estimated. I am thankful that I have a decent job, although I also feel trapped sometimes.

The passing and eventual overturn of Prop 8 in California. My constant postings about them caused my sister-in-law to finally ask me about my sexuality, and helped me to finally start coming out to members of my family. Maybe I'll come out to my parents this year.

The overall economic climate has meant that this has been a year of government austerity. And, as a consultant/contractor to government, this has placed a question mark over my future prospects. I have been very fortunate to have had work this past year but I am concerned about the coming year.

US troops are still in Afghanistan; there is still a need for government sponsored security. Ike is finishing up training with the state department in the next month or so, and will be sent back to Afghanistan to act as defense for important American visitors (diplomats, dignitaries, etc.) to the nation. Even though he just received one of 50 medals given out in the last 72 years for expert marksmanship, he's not invincible, and it's scary that he's going back. But he's doing what he wants to, and I guess that's what matters most.

The Congressional wrangling over national issues. April Spring is another. One makes me depressed and lose my faith in people. People in this country are greedy and ugly. April Spring gave me more faith in people, the idealism and love of freedom felt around the world.

The minor crash and riots in London made me realize how disconnected I can get. It scared me that after only two days being enthralled by my work, the world could seem so different.

St Louis tornado - it was amazing to see all the destruction that was done to the airport and surrounding areas. It made me aware of how quickly life as one knows it can change.

I was really surprised how powerful the passing of marriage equality in NY was for me. It felt extremely validating and affirming to know that I could choose to get married and be treated like my straight friends or like I had once been treated when I was married to a women.

The floods in Queensland were an eye opener. For once it wasn't in some faraway third world country. It was right here in Australia, it was catastrophic, and it was happening to people I knew. We cannot take our homes for granted!

The earthquake in Japane & the tsunamis that ensued afterward were quite unsettling. I remember waking up for school & my brother, who was visiting from Argentina & was staying in the family room, was already awake, watching the news. He told me about the earthquake & I felt that "natural disaster" shudder one gets when something really horrible happens to a lot of people. I was especially amazed by how the Japanese people handled things--they seemed much more organized & level-headed than I imagine any Americans would have been. The image that stuck in my mind, simple as it is, was one of people seeking refuge together, & they had sorted out their waste into trash & recycling. I laughed at first, thinking that was so typical of the Japanese, but then thought about how amazingly resourceful & clever that was. Still thoughtful, even in times of crisis. I try to hold myself to that level of responsibility now, instead of using a crisis as an excuse not to do anything.

there were a few major events that moved me this year: stephen harper was elected and the canadian's were polarized (left v right), the spring came late and my food production was a failure, the earthquake and nuclear meltdown in japan....it feels like the world is moving from order to chaos. i know that that's some scientific law and i feel like it's happening. it freaks me out because i don't know how to make sense of it. so i just keep going about my business and try and do right.

9/11 anniversary, the killing of Osama Bin Laden, and the economic struggles were some of the biggest stories... the tsunami and related nuclear crisis in Japan were probably the biggest events. To be honest, I'm so focused on the balance between my personal goals and my families goals that none of these events penetrate me on a major level. I should probably be paying more attention and getting more involved in the world at large... but right now the micro issues are bigger than the macro ones

The earthquake, Tsunami, and damage to Japan's nuclear plants affected me deeply and in many ways. I have traveled to Japan several times and have an appreciation for their hospitality, courtesy, and for the beautiful country. Today's technology was able to show us in live action the massive destruction as it took place. It was shocking and horrifying. Watching the towering wall of water rush toward the people carrying with it buildings, trains, trucks, I found myself shouting to them, "Run! Run!" What a helpless feeling to watch unable to do anything in that moment. And then the next horror as the Nuclear plants began to fail and no plan, no solution but to evacuate people to safer areas. And big aftershocks, and more earthquakes, and people who lost everything and everyone. And then, as we continued to watch, we saw people sharing and helping each other. Lining up for bottled water, allowing someone to go first even knowing the supply was limited. Without food, clothing, and the other necessities of survival, there was no looting. No one stole from another. Aware of the danger, workers volunteered to work at the power plants trying to repair and prevent a complete meltdown. Day after day, without sleep, food, or water these brave men, many with families, continued to sacrifice their lives for the good of the country. Amazing! Who could not be impacted? And now,more than 6 months later, how are the Japanese people doing? Are things back to normal? What of the nuclear plants? Up and running? Cities rebuilt?Are people back in homes out of shelters? Is anyone even asking? The immediate response was wonderful, but do we have a short attention span? I don't see anything in the media. We know every detail about Amanda Knox and Casey Anthony, but what about one of the biggest natural disasters in years? I still feel impacted by this, but wonder,"Does anyone else?"

The earthquake in Japan-it was widespread, and affected so many families on that island nation-as I heard the stories, I kept thinking about having to live with those horrible memories (your loved ones swept away before your eyes, etc.)in the years to come. Sure, time heals the wounds, but it takes time.

Hurricane Irene. It was scary not feeling in control in my own apartment, neighborhood, worrying about family. And the earthquake on the East Coast. Wow. The power of Nature.

the earthquake in haiti, because i knew two people that were missing, and it was a really scary time

The Japan earthquake and tsunami. The how and why I'm still coming to terms with

I would have to say: The Japan earthquake and tsunami. I can't wrap my head around so much destruction. And the people were so stoic and helpful to each other. They are still returning money they find! Perhaps the fact that I live in earthquake country is why this has affected me. The same thing could happen to us, and I don't think we are ready for it. Imagine never being able to go home because there is no home!

REVOLUTION around the globe, - freedom trying to resolve in many small steps. Executions, politics/politicians that seem so removed/remote from real life. Ecoonomies shifting, but the corporate hold seemingly tighter. Climate change. "Occupy Wall Street" - seems a step, - to seeing more clearly, - but what? No more greed. That must come from within each one. What can *i* do to change?

Occupy Wall Street - I finally feel like we have a voice for the anger and frustration at the way our country's being run. I hope it really works.

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. It's been many years since I spent time at sea. Aboard a 494 ft long ship in the midst of a typhoon, I gained a profound appreciation for the overwhelming forces of nature; particularly in relationship with human fabrications. The force of the earthquake and the power with which the tsunami swept through coastal cities was another reminder of the insignificance of humanity in the greater scheme of things. Yet the post-catastrophe rescue and recovery efforts were equally powerful reminders of our resiliency and ability to make a difference in one-another’s lives and the world in which we live.

All of the uprising in the Middle East has concerned my for our family in Turkey. I feel that could easily happen there and they would be stranded. I am most concerned about how my husband would cope if he was here and unable to help the,.

I guess one was the tsunami and the nuclear plant issues that happened in Japan afterward. Usually nothing comes close to my back yard, but my brother lived in Japan and had plans to go back. And he did but it was so scary to think something like that could have happened while he was in the area, and that he could get ill from being there. The other is would probably be the US knocking down Palestine's bid for statehood, and hearing all the different sides of it, including a Jewish guy on NPR arguing that Palestine's statehood is an existential necessity for Israel. I agree, but wow is it fraught, and what about my new friends in Israel, and what about all the anti-zionist "intellectuals" out there. And the bigots. Woof. I tend to stick my head in the sand or stay reticent but I think I need to start forming my own opinions again.

The Arab Spring. I was moved by the uprising of people evidencing their deep need for democracy, progress, justice, and freedom. And they showed the world that freedom comes from within a country.

The Tsunami in Japan. It is hard to believe that one country can have as much tragedy as they have this year. They are clearly survivors. Steve Jobs died today. I think this will having a lasting impact on the world. A true genius is gone.

The tsunami/earthquake that hit Japan broke my heart. It was such sudden and complete disaster to a place that has so much pride in community and tradition. And now is the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York. At first, I didn't pay much attention; it seemed like just another protest against "the man". But then I saw stories of the people fighting for it, and they are just like me, or what I could be in a few years time. College graduates who can't find a job are struggling to get by. I feel like I'm starting to lose faith in the structure of education in America. How can people like me, and them, do everything "right," and it still turn out wrong?

There was nothing major this year that happened that made a huge impact on me. There were all these things going on around me but I was in my own little, year-abroad bubble, which is ironic because that year-abroad was in one of the most volatile areas of the world, The Middle East. But, with the exception of the bombing at a bus stop in March, most of the things happening in that area where not near where I lived. Egypt was in Egypt, the fire was all the way up North and I had already left, the rockets were far away in the South, the Syrians storming the border was in the north. Were there times I was afraid things would heat up in Jerusalem? Absolutely. Does this make me insensitive uncaring? I blame it on being in my bubble and the fact that I didn't expose myself to news as much as I do in America. I didn't have a TV and I only occasionally glanced at newspaper headlines. I wonder if that makes all the difference and, not to downplay any of the major events going on in the world, it makes me wonder how much American news sensationalizes everything.

The only thing I can really think of is the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Fortunately I wasnt a part of any of the hurricanes or earthquakes that hit the US this past year. Again, fortunately I've had it pretty ok. Unless you count the recession, where I was pretty much struggling for several months, but then again, so was everyone.

9/11's 10th anniversary. I wrote a paper on films portraying consequences of living in a post-9/11 context of the world for my M.Ed. course. I would soon be submitting it for publications. I hope it gets through :)

The terrible earthquake and nuclear tragedy in Japan made me feel appreciative and thankful. Also, closer to home the terrible tornadoes that destroyed many homes in Joplin, MO caused me to pause and reflect. You never know when a natural disaster might strike and when I hear about tragedy that befalls others, I feel quite fortunate for my own good fortune and safety.

Many news stories I see that are showing up the impacts of climate change impact on me again and again. They scare me, but also motivate me to change my life. I want to make a positive difference. The financial crisis worries me a lot. I am more worried about the security of my family and my local area. I think about food security and oil more than I used to. I also worry that when things get bad (and they look every day like they are getting worse) then facism creeps in; I can already see it happening. People almost begin to take pride in ignorance and violence. Law begins to break down, as shown by the riots that happened over the summer. But I suppose that also shows hope, that people got together to sort out their communities in the aftermath of all that destruction. .

I'm inspired by the Tea Party call to return to small government, and disgusted by the media trying to label them all racists for opposing Obama. I find I'm more consistently conservative than ever, which is good and bad. Good because I know what I believe. Bad because I'm putting off people I care about. I need to be careful how I express myself. On another note, I'm saddened today by the death of Steve Jobs, and grateful to live in the time of another Edison-level person. I'm humbled and inspired by him.

Starvation on the Horn of Africa and feeling sad that are world has come to this. Feeling very sad that there is so little I can do. How are we/can we change this?

The passing of Steve Jobs this week has been shocking and saddening. It is because of his vision and determination that I learned how to write code at a young age, and get involved in user design. I developed an appreciation for typography and simple user interface that allows me to do what I love everyday. His inspiration will be front of mind and my design always. He will be missed.

So many horrible things happening with earthquakes and hurricanes. We have had so much rain this year. Global change is upon us I'm afraid. Time to get a generator. I just keep doing my practice to hopefully rise above the worry. Grateful for evry day but especially the nice ones.

The ten year anniversary of 9-11. When it happened ten years ago I was too young to realize what it all meant. I think this is the first time I've really thought about it all - what it must've been like to be on one of the planes and how families coped with their losses in the days, months and years after. It made me realize how quickly and carelessly life can be taken away.

It feels like this has been a year of earthquakes, big (Japan) and small (right here in DC). Watching the news coverage there and here is pretty mind-blowing- I mean, yes, we had some damage to our own home during our relatively minor earthquake. But I cannot imagine the devastation in Japan. It's trite to say that the world keeps spiraling down, but sometimes you have to wonder- what are we doing to save our planet? Is this divine retribution? Or you know. Are we just that meaningless in the schema of the universe. I'm thinking that.

I don't let world events impact my life, I rule my own world

The Japanese earthquake. A devastating tragedy to a country at the forefront of the technological advancement. Small and overpopulated, Japan had never seen so many casualties in almost 70 years.

The earthquake in Japan was horrific. My grief for the survivors is deep. And for those that lost their lives... The devastation is unthinkable. I try to put myself into the shoes of those left to put their lives back together, I can not imagine. The Japanese are such a strong culture. I was amazed at the calm with which they collected themselves and began to find order. I dont think I could conduct myself like that when faced with such things.

The severe economic downturn coupled with the blatant self-interest of powerful corporate lobbies in Washington may have affected my business, by making people more cautious about spending money for consulting and other contractual services. Mostly I am concerned about meeting my needs in old age and about whether the American people can reclaim our government from special interests. There is a protest movement occupying Wall Street right now, and I plan to participate in the supportive protest here in Chicago this weekend. Protests and demonstrations made a difference with respect to Viet Nam, civil rights, and women's rights 40+ years ago, and have toppled oppressive regimes overseas this year. I hope they are as effective now, and that a just and civil government emerges.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 hit me pretty hard. It's difficult to believe it's been 10 years already. It was hard, but riveting to relive news footage of that day. I cried just as hard as I did 10 years ago.

The riots in England. I spent my childhood in England and very often hanker after those years and the land I abruptly left. Seeing a very different sort of society and one that had grown up and changed the way everything does reminded me in a big way that living in the past is futile.

The economy. It affects my family, my job and my child's future.

Troy Davis's execution made a big impact on me, raising such big questions about the death penalty, judgment, and the factors that contribute to where a person ends up in life. How did Davis get there?

The protests and riots happening across the globe are very inspiring. Hopefully the majority will take back control of society from the dictators and multinational corporations.

Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami and subsequent nuclear reactor meltdown impacted me this year. For one, I'm in Japan at least twice a year for my job. Secondly, prior to the earthquake, I didn't realize how vulnerable we are here in the US to a similar event especially since we also have quite a few nuclear reactors in my area and an active fault line. Also the blizzard of 2011 showed me how important it is to maintain good relationships with our neighbors. My neighbors came to my rescue and help me dig out my drive way of waist high snow drifts before the temperatures dropped to below zero. I couldn't have done it without them.

I can't think of any events that had a direct impact on me, however there are two events that I believe speak volumes about the state of affairs in the world. The first was the flooding and devastation that took place along the Missouri River. Many people in the surrounding communities lost their homes and livelihoods. The hubris with which humans continue to ignore the power of nature can be seen everywhere, but the flooding especially highlighted this fact. The second event that impacted me was the REAL flourishing of democracy in the Middle East and Egypt. The people of those countries organized and rose up against oppressive regimes, which have been traditionally supported by the US Govt. Anytime there is an organic expression of human freedom, I find solace in these events and it gives me hope that the oppressed people of the world can overcome.

My daughter turned 20. I am proud of her and at the same time want to be there for her in whatever way would be helpful. I am trying to figure out how to be there for my son, as well, who got laid off from his job this year with no good prospects for the future. My good friend gave her notice at work, and I will miss her so very much.

The worldwide economic turmoil showed me how important it is to be personally responsible with my money; and how government officials AREN'T being responsible with my money. I'm young and have a clean slate, but planning is so important when saving for my future.

Steve Jobs died yesterday. It made me sadder than I'd expected. I do sort of feel that without a tech or business background I'm headed nowhere, or at least that a huge segment of the population will never value me. It's a mentality I probably need to break out of.

The uprisings that are happening throughout the world - Egypt, Syria, Lybia, Israel, the Palestinians unilateral resolution being voted on at the United Nations and now here in the States this movement "Occupy Wall Street" all seem to share a common thread of average people feeling fed up by oppressive governments and corporations that are dictating policy and creating inhumane living conditions. It is unacceptable and people are taking to the streets to be heard. It reminds me that I am so blessed and fortunate to have what I do and that I cannot take it for granted. And, I wonder how I should be contributing to this global movement.

I find myself still so unaffected by things that go on in the world. I think I had the same answer last year. Am I insensitive?

My friend Kate + her best friend Melissa are cycling the route of the Silk Road self-supported, and exploring environmental conservation across borders + studying transboundary protected areas. I have been following their blog and living vicariously through them. I would love to be that brave to travel through countries we consider to be dangerous. Their one on one encounters with the people of India, Tibet, Turkey, and Afghanistan have been wonderful. It helps me to hear how people, complete strangers have fed them and welcomed them into their villages and homes.

The anniversary of 9/11 impacted me. For the last 6 years I have worked with families of veterans, many of whom joined out of a patriotic sense of duty, and whose lives have been forever impacted, mostly for the negative. I found the coverage and response to the anniversary to be very unsophisticated and black and white, without really weighing out the impacts of what has been done in retaliation since then.

Earthquake in Haiti. Terrible devastation and I felt largely powerless to help.

I suppose just the economy and my Dad losing his job. It made me feel extremely vulnerable.

I'm excited about the Occupy Wall Street movement - it's really fun to watch and I'm looking forward to being a part of it now that it is spreading to be close to our home. I'm hopeful it will be making an impact at this time next year. And I'm excited about it because it's a powerful message that is much needed to combat the Tea Party craziness that has been unanswered for way too long.

Especially in this context, I would say the proposal to the United Nations by the PLO leader, Mahmoud Abbas, for Palestinian statehood has affected me the most. If approved, the consequences for peace interests, US interests, Israeli interests, and Jewish interests would be dire. If not, the consequences would be just as bad. I do not think that war is very avoidable at this point, which worries me. The security council still has not yet made their decision, but a pro-Palestinian desicion will likely be vetoed by the US (and possibly some of her allies) and an anti-Palestinian desicion will likely be vetoed by Russia and China. I'm not sure wht I think right now, but I am consoled by the fact that while American liberals tend to always favor Israel (let us not forget that Jews make up a part of their base), the far-right GOP candidates, such as Bachmann (and I believe Cain as well), have come out saying that Obama is not strongly enough at Israel's side. While keeping in mind that these statements come out a day after a poll was released showing that Jews are losing faith in Obama, it shows that the United States isn't going anywhere and will continue to advocate for Israel in years to come and through this conflict accelerated by Abbas' proposal. This simply cannot end well, and, regardless of the outcome of the desicion, it will change history intensely and forever impact the future of peace, the United States, Israel, and Jews across the globe.

The homecoming of the American hikers, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, sent chills through me. I couldn't believe that they and Sarah Shourd were convicted of spying in the first place. It was horrible to put myself in the shoes of their families and try to feel what they must have felt all of this time. To find out that Josh Fattal was Jewish was a little shocking. It never occurred to me that any of them could be Jewish. It changed my perspective on the whole incident and made me wonder what underlying currents were going on that the general public did not know about.

Arab Spring and the effect of this on Israel. Feel as though up until the past couple of years I must never have paid attention to the rights things, Judaism and paying attention has opened my eyes to what is really happening in the world.

The BP Oil spill was absolutely heart wrenching for all the damage it caused and because it's considered an acceptable error. Acceptable because not much has changed in the way we search for and extract oil form the earth...

The London riots. It wasn't till then that i truly realised just how "broken" Britain really is. The way the media portrayed them was albeit exaggerated but it wasn't completely off. So many people obviously don't give a damn about our country or the people in it, and i really hate that it is our own citizens. This sort of event is going to happen more and more in the future and due to my aspirations i'm really glad that i could one day become part of the huge team of people trying to fix and stop this from ever happening.

all the damn GOP debates. It has affected me because every-time I watch one, i feel more tired. All the puffery and rhetoric is draining. Sad thing is, the campaign hasn't even kicked into high gear yet.

In all honesty, I have been much too self obsessed this year to have anything global impact me. I get bumbed out by certain events, and happy over others, but there's a cynical apathy that I have been feeling regarding politics, etc, that keeps me from feeling too much over things outside of my closer circle. If anything, the global financial crisis is pushing me to want my own business more than ever.

The news of Osama bin Laden's death very abruptly brought back so much sadness and emptiness -- the news alert flashed on the screen and I immediately broke down in tears. It was like watching the towers fall all over again. Stories of drunken celebration and all that "USA! USA!" crap made it all worse. A chapter closed, perhaps, but we didn't "win" anything.

The killing of Osama Bin Laden impacted me in ways that wouldn't have even crossed my mind. I would have assumed that I would hear the news, tweet something witty and move on with my life, maybe with a slightly increased level of confidence in the American military strategy, but nonetheless pretty normally. This wasn't the case. I was almost sickened. The amount to which the press, the papers, the news, the general public glorified his death was sickening. Yet, I feel guilty for feeling that way. Yes, I'm glad he is no longer in a position to inflict harm on more undeserving populations, but I still can't fully come to terms with the celebration of his death. It's an interesting state of mind to be in. I keep replaying in my mind the tactless speech that President Obama delivered after the news was spread that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. "We have killed Osama Bin Laden." Killed. Terminated a life. Intentionally deprived a family of their loved one. I guess it just made me really think where I align myself on the scale of believing in "an eye for an eye" as a fair law of governance.

The tsunami in Japan was hugely impactful for me, but I can't tell you why. I watched it happen on the web, pretty much real time. It was so much tragedy - I found myself overwhelmed.

I have a hard enough time with things that happen locally to let things that happen globally impact me too much. Though the earthquake in Japan rocked us. Worry about tsunamis approaching Hawaii and then California where we have family not to mention waiting days to be sure that my husband's friend who lived in Japan was okay. It kind of shook our foundation. Our family and friends were okay, but so many were not.

Congressional roadblocks. I have never felt so little trust in my government to do what they feel is right rather than what they feel is popular. I feel impotent watching from Ghana but am starting to lose interest in signing petition after petition. I don't know what kind of a world my children will be born into. I enter this year equally lightened by personal joy and anticipation and burdened by doubt of what our society can get done - and what it will take to bring people ABOVE the petty squabbles. If natural disasters can't, then I really don't know.

I can't think of a particular event. As I think back, all I can remember is the media hyper -reporting of events that really aren't all that important - particularly celebrit activity. More than an event, I remember that I continue to be disappointed in the decline in integrity, in taking the high road, in valuing something other than "things". There have been moments when I've lost faith in mankind (well, Americans for the most part). But I am a hopeful person, so I won't get too caught up in those feelings. And, from time -to-time, I see or hear something that restores my faith.

The continuing economic downturn has starkly affected me. When I was let go, it was because my organization had to pay $45 million to the Madoff trustees. I had read about the recession and the unemployment rates, but until you are the one that is the statistic, it's all abstract. Luckily, I was able to get a job - a better job in fact - which I guess means I was eventually better off, but I really feel for people who have been unemployed for a long time. On a side note - I didn't realize how poorly I and my colleagues had been treated at my former organization until I started working at a new place.

The rioting across Britain. I had never felt afraid in the place where I live before then, but suddenly I it wasn't safe to set foot in the city I love to wander around. But we only had this for a few days, I can't imagine how people cope and carry on when they are living in fear every day. It was sobering how quickly the mob mentality spread, worrying that there was no clear cause behind the rioting and wanton looting and disruption. Whether it is symbolic of a breakdown in the morality of society, or an attempt of the excluded, disillusioned and disenfrachised youth to rail against their lack of opportunity, no one can say - but a root cause needs to be found and addressed. People should have pride in the place where they live and the people they share it with, they should want to fight to improve it, not try to destroy it. However, the clean up responses were amazing and showed how much community spirit and pride there still is in Britain. The 'I love Manchester' banners are still riding high across the city. Inspirational stuff.

How could I forget? The passage of gay marriage in New York was a landmark event for us and for other same-sex couples around the country. We are one step closer to achieving equality and it felt amazing as the vote went through on that late evening. We cannot stop the campaign until there is equal rights for love around the world.

The 10th Anniversary of the falling of the twin towers in NYC was...very sad and I felt a lot of emotions towards it. My heart continuously goes out to those families that lost someone...

All the insane weather and natural disasters happening worldwide. The Japan tsunami, the Midwest tornadoes and storms, Hurricane Irene, et al. Just makes me think about how quickly and unexpectedly life can change. The rug could get pulled out from underneath our comfortable lives at any moment. I need to appreciate what I have more, and complain and stress less. God has given me so much. It's high time I used it, and thanked Him with more than just my words.

The economic downturn has had a great impact on me this year, but only because I let it. My business has spiraled down and I just let it happen. I'm now on a new track and things are looking up, but it's a big hole I'm pulling myself out of.

The economy has finally took its toll on my family. We lasted so long throughout the bad economy but you can only hide for so long. Dad lost his job at the end of september.

The death of Amy Winehouse and Steve Jobs. Not usually one to be affected my deaths of famous people but for some reason these two have...

Haiti. It was the first time I ever donated money for a cause and really started to follow the news and watch how our government handled things that happened in other countries.

World events have had very little impact on my life. As a child of parents from the upper middle class, my life has been insulated financially from from any turmoil that takes place. Similarly, any sort of global upheaval (e.g. famine, natural disaster, political uprising) has only a tangential effect. If there was one event that both repulsed and delighted me, it would be the tea-party takeover of Congress. Their intransigence is certainly terrible for the country. Nevertheless, it marks a win for accountability to the electorate. On a personal level, as someone who follows politics for the excitement and drama it produces, I have found the the tea party movement has yielded several crazies whose actions have brightened my day.

The Arab Spring. I don't think it has had a direct impact on me, but it tuned me into the fact that my analytical skills were not left behind with academia. That was a self-dicovery of some sort, which the Arab Spring prompted.

The 10th anniversary of 9-11. I had thought that I would not watch any of the tv docs about it, but I did and it was incredibly sad, much more than I thought it would be. It also reminded me of just how divided the country currently is, compared to the 3 months after 9-11.

The death of Osama bin Laden had a sizable effect on me. Not so much the death but the really unsettling celebrations by Americans after the news broke. I was stunned to see people so openly joyous about the death of a human. Yes, he was a bad man. I just don't think death is ever something to celebrate.

The death of Osama Bin Laden was really significant because it made me appreciate my country a whole lot more. The fact that everyone at the Phillies game that night started chanting USA was really powerful and watching the president's speech was also moving. Although this was an important event it doesn't really change anything because there will always be terrorists in the world who want to harm us solely because we are American and we need to make sure we protect our country in every way possible. This marked not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning.

Loss. It makes one appreciate what they have, and wish they appreciated what they had, while they still had it. Once they are gone...They are GONE. You can not just make it up to them later...It is too late. Appreciate in the now.

Most recently, it's the death of Steve Jobs. I realize it was a long time coming, but he died at a time when I was examining my own mistakes with my children and myself, too. I started this 10Q with the realization that this new year will be different, because I am making a concerted effort to disregard the opinions of others. I will make decisions for my family, as I see fit - even if I might come off crazy or stupid or inept. I will ask doctors as many questions as I need to ask to make informed decisions, and I will contradict people freely. Steve Jobs made an impact on the world by conducting business the way other people are afraid to, by believing in his own ideas and instincts enough to gamble on them. It is too late for me to invent the personal computer, but it is not too late for me to give my children the guidance and opportunities that they need to come into their own. It seems that won't happen for them unless I stick my neck out for them constantly and put more bearing on what's good for them than what seems like responsible parenting to others, so that's my plan. I don't mean to discount the huge world events,the wars, the earthquake, the radiation in Japan, the child in Brooklyn. It's all on my mind, but I chose to focus on Steve Jobs, because I was very moved by his life and the impact he made.

I still think about the World Trade Center and how it has affected this country.

the uprising in the arab world. so glad to see the tirants being overcome without apparently any pressure from the western world ( though some claim that there was a lot of manipulation going on)

When Amy Winehouse died (yeah, I know- ha ha ha), it was very strange for me because knowing my tendency to pity NO person who uses drugs, I really realized how truly talented she was, and viewed her death as a loss of a great artist, rather than just another junkie who lost her own war. I hope in a year that doesn't seem trite. ADDITIONALLY: The Wisconsin Budget Bill crisis really brought out the passion in me. I went to the capitol a few times to protest, and I just thought it was very beautiful- a cause I could believe in. And this year it seems more important than I ever could imagine, to preserve the middle class, where I come from.

Scott Walker being elected Governor of Wisconsin, and all the chaos that proceeded. My husband is a 3rd Grade teacher and I am a College (Art) Student, so yeah, his election definitely impacted us personally/directly.

After five decades of guerrilla struggle and the loss of over two million lives Southern Sudan gained its independence. Almost thirty years ago I became close to a Southern Sudanese family. Seeing how their exile and their homeland's turmoil has impacted their losses, joys, and life's milestones has profoundly affected me. We humans are so passionate, hopeful, and brutal--we inflict so much of the suffering in the world on ourselves. How do I work towards tikkun olam and tikkun ha nefesh?

The rise of so many who profess to be Christian but have really un-Christian ideals & attitudes leaves me wobbly. When I was growing up in the 50s & 60s your faith was your business limited to where do you go to church or questions about what they believed if it was way different - followed by OK. Now it seems that when someone runs for office it is limited to "How Christian is he or is he Christian enough". Also, religion plays a big role in social decisions that impact others decisions like they never have before. Intolerance seems to masquerade as "I am Christian so I...." I am beginning to think that an Atheist in the White House would be a great idea.

Gay marriage ... I think we in California are retarded and now officially behind the times ... ugh! The recession ... it's different this time, different than the great depression or the recession in the 1980's. It's not so much losing jobs and not being able to pay bills (though there is a lot of that), it's more losing hope. Our generation is realizing that we have to stay in jobs that we hate just in order to keep our jobs (even though we don't get raises and the standard of living is increasing), we realize that buying a house will probably never be possible, and that we will never ever ever be able to retire ... it is a recession of hope.

I felt very affected by the anniversary of September 11, 2001. It brought back many memories of that time in my life and made me think about how much (and how little) has changed in the past 10 years. In some ways, I feel stuck in that time.

The advent of austerity governments. I was particularly affected by a trip I took to England in December. I have been a student between the US and the UK for six years, so am familiar with issues in both countries. Seeing the British students standing up for their rights, even if they were not listened too and in some cases were violently quelled, was very moving. I was in London the night the demonstrations were violent and in Newcastle I joined a peaceful sit in. Perhaps protests don't make a difference, but what if they do? I want to be the kind of person that at leasts fights for my rights. I think the trend in governance and economic policy throughout the western world is terrifying, and I wonder what life will be like for my children.

The earthquake in Haiti. It provided a huge sense of perspective and prompted even more desire to help in the world.

Steve Jobs died two days ago. In thinking about why this would sadden me as much as it did, given that I knew few details about him, and in reading about what kind of a gruff, abrasive, insulting character he often was (attributes counter to those I considered crucial to a good leader's), I've realized that "how we act" counts far less than "how honestly we act". The details and stings fade away, and we're left with reverence towards honesty and talent which did not waste time helping people feel good in a shallow way. I want to move towards that.

I think the debt ceiling crisis and everything else political really impacted me. It just really irritated me how the political parties refuse to work together and just bicker back and forth about who is more wrong.

The mass-mentality events of celebrating Osama's death or the ever-annoying Occupy Wall Street has actually frightened me. I gotta get the facts before I have an opinion! It's just made me realize that everyone's stupid.

When I was in Israel this year, there was a bombing. It was kind of scary being so close to it, and it made me both fearful, lucky, and surprisingly protective. I'm upset Israel is constantly fighting and unsettled, and grateful I don't live in a place where I have to be afraid of getting bombed.

The tsunami in Japan, especially since i was just there last year. It's stunning to see how the Japanese people are willing to give up and sacrifice for the betterment of their country and society.

Marriage equality in New York! It was such a nerve-wracking and exciting week leading up to the vote, and I am so proud of what Albany did for all New Yorkers. I only hope I have the chance to take advantage of it one day.

The protests in Israel and having Sharon staying with me then--she was clearly impacted by the events and seeing the US respond or not respond to something significant in a country that I have ore understanding for having been to it this past year.

The number and magnitude of natural disasters. Grave concern about our planet. Committed to being a responsible citizen of the earth.

Goodness, so much has happened all over the world and even in our own country. The ongoing financial crisis in the US has certainly impacted me and my family and friends. It saddens me to see the communication in Washington ground to a halt with no forward progress.

BBYO BBYO BBYO BBYO BBYO BBYO BBYO BBYO

I have thought quite a lot about this question and there is only one thing that comes to mind, the tenth anniversary of September 11th. I can't believe that ten years have passed. It was an event that shook the world to it's core and continues to do so, even today. I watched some of the memorial coverage on the tv, with family members of those who died speaking about their loss. It was heart-breaking. I can't imagine the pain that those families are still going through. It was a horrific event, but showed how people can come together in tragedy and be strong together.

All the wars have impacted me on a soul level. I feel the suffering of so many and even though I can go about my day-to-day life here in comfort, i know people all around the globe are having such a hard time. All the resources going towards violence and conflict is heartbreaking.

The death of osama bin laden ~ what is shocking was how over time it has not changed anything but at the time it was so momentous.

The UN investigation of flotilla whichlargely exonerated Israel but resulted in NO apologies from the workd community resulted in more pain for me over Israel

Honestly not a whole lot. Not yet. So many tyrants were overthrown this year and the world is definitely changing, but the total impact has yet to be seen.

TEDxMileHigh - while obviously a very localized event to Denver, this event had an extremely lasting impact on me through its various speakers giving inspirational messages that has lead to a thought process of making the World a better place & sustainable initiatives that would lead to a higher quality of life for current & future generations.

The Tsunami in Japan. The atomic catastrophe. I think this needs no explanation on how or why. I still feel paralyzed sometimes because of that.

Tsunami in Japan. It makes you think how life is so fragile and out of our control.

the crisis in the real estate market gave me the chance to be able to buy the house I longed for.

The climate change situation is pretty horrible right now and I finally opened my eyes to the Challenge of extreme weather events worldwide. The majority seems to be still in denial and we are just beginning a process of revealing the truth. Earthquake in Haiti. Financial situation. Lots of issues.

The tsunami in Japan was truly earth-shattering. The stoic Japanese society weathered the earthquake with practiced aplomb. But no expected the huge amount of devastation the tsunami would bring. The fact that the government was too quiet about the extent of damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor illuminated the distrust between the Japanese people and their government. I am fearful that the nuclear devastation of the Fukushima area will persist in the beautiful country of Japan for generations. And I worry about the strong potential for disaster in this country. When I was in college, I was vocal about my opposition to building the Seabrook nuclear power plant in an earthquake zone on the very short New Hampshire coastline. Opposition slowed construction, but the plant was eventually built. Nuclear power is dangerous, all the more so when we become complacent.

I became a father. Not by choice, and I found out halfway through the pregnancy. The baby was adopted, but I still think about her every day, wondering how she's doing, and if she'll ever want to meet me.

The world recession continues to affect the way I think about things. I am trying to appreciate what I have, and not to dwell on what I don't. I would like to be grateful for the wealth I have, both the relative financial security and the friends, family and love that fill my life.

The economy’s decline has impacted us since retirement now seems as elusive as ever. It’s impacted my husband’s company and our kids’ ability to find jobs, sell a home, etc. Not good!

The killings that happened in Norway this year were horrible. I'm always fearful of random acts of violence and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There have been a few times in subway cars in New York and Paris and London this year where I have grown suspicious of someone else on the train. My heart beats fast and I contemplate all the exits and whether I should get off the train. And then I wonder at my potential racial profiling and how to escape that kind of categorizing.

Well, last year I was really affected by the coal miners being rescued in Chile. I was so happy. It gave me hope that good things can happen. I guess right now I'm affected by the Occupy Wall Street event. The effect is two-fold. 1) That finally some people other than myself and a bunch of liberals are finally talking about how the rich have truly fucked us all and will continue to do so if not stopped. So, in that sense it feels really great to not be alone in that knowledge. I have a lot of hope that things could change but since the rich have all the power I also have fear that things will only get worse. 2) The other affect is that this only makes it even more clear that there are so many people looking for work that my slim hope of getting a better job than the one I lost is probably just an illusion. At least I'm really glad I never had children.

Watching the 99% occupation of Wall Street, I've been boggled at how little mainstream media coverage or commentary has been made public, to the point that even the New York Times has sneakily retracted facts and data from its published stories when those facts contradicted its accounting department. I am shamefully reminded that free speech is a right in this country which is all too often withheld by those in perceived authority, reserved for those who want to hold all the power. That I personally have a responsibility to speak truth to power, as if I have nothing to lose, because I have everything to lose if I don't.

The ongoing financial quicksand we're in. The way it spilled over into igniting revolution among underemployed youth in the Middle East, and the way it seems to be making inroads here. Since it's more anger at an economic system than overthrowing post-colonial dictatorships, I don't know that it'll have any lasting change, but you can't have a solution if you can't talk to each other and figure out what the problem is. It's also impacted me because I'm kind of the Gen-X financial poster child: I did everything right - went to school learned marketable skills, all that stuff that the baby boomers told us would lead to success in life - and it hasn't. I'm slightly less screwed than the milennials because I didn't have to run up student debt and because I was able to get some solid working years in. If I hadn't had those savings - or if I did, but had kids or a mortgage - I'd be even more screwed than I am. Which is still pretty screwed.

I'm not sure what the long-term effect was, but the shooting at the summer camp in Norway shook me so intensely. Maybe it was because Laura was away, out of the country, in Israel, in a place where terror and violence happen not irregularly. More likely, it was because the shooting happened at a teen leadership camp, and my little sister was at a teen leadership camp. It was sad and haunting and I cried and cried and cried. And I felt so alone without Laura. I need her to be with me, to share my feelings and comfort me. I ended up calling my parents, and we all cried together.

Interesante las protestas en la plazoleta del sol en España, Anonymouse, y Julian Asange un nuevo tipo de manifestación del pùeblo. Aunque le he restado validez en mi interior a las luchas anárquicas... De resto nada siquiera interesante.

I have been following the events of the Arab Spring closely (at least more closely than other current events this year). It's been surprising to see how quickly an entire power structure throughout a region of the world could tip and become destabilized. Like many people, I am concerned about the end game of all of this, for Israel, but also for the countries that have overthrown dictatorial regimes. I'm sure it will take many years for the situation to stabilize and the full meaning of these revolutions to unfold but I have a feeling that this was a historic turning point.

The tsunami and nuclear meltdown in Japan. I think both events made me feel scared about the impact technology and industry has had on our earth and the way we relate to it.

The 10th anniversary of 9-11. As I sat in bed watching the memorial special I could still remember everything from that morning 10 years ago. I cried & cried watching the families and seeing the videos from that day. I took a long drive later that day with my windows down just because I could. Land of the Free, because of the Brave. Never forget.

The earthquake in Japan and Osama bin Laden's death made a lot about the world "real" in a ways. Those were just two events I can think of that just took everything and flipped it upside down.

World events seem to impact me less now that I'm a Mom. My focus is narrower, which is not a bad thing. I still care about the world but my son is of primary importance.

Famine in the Horn of Africa, again, showed how sick and unjust and unsustainable the world system is. Whenever I look in the cupboards or turn on a tap I'm so grateful to have it all and so disgusted at the discrepancy. The Arab Spring and the collapse of the banking system showed how impermanent our reality is. The sacrifice, and bravery, and imagination shown worldwide was astounding. It's a time of huge change. I feel like I've been hiding on the sidelines, that I've been very cowardly. I need to get educated, and I need to take a stand.

This year was actually a year where I was mostly turned inward, and not focused on the outside world and the news of all the disasters and horrors out there. However, I was definitely aware of and affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It gave me the kind of feeling I remember from previous disasters like the Loma Prieta quake or Katrina or Haiti or 911 or other places, where I was both shocked and horrified at what had happened, and deeply touched by the way people came together during and after, and the outpouring of support and generosity given as human-to-human, not just "us" to "them". The way that some people respond to danger and horror with bravery and compassion always gives me faith in humanity again. I was also aware of and affected by the uprising in Egypt (and the other echoing fights for democratic rights in other Middle Eastern countries). The bravery and the determination of these folks to change the way their lives work and make a better life for themselves and their children was really inspirational and made me truly grateful for living in a time and place where I already have at least some of the liberties they are fighting for. I know also I need to be more aware and more active in order to make sure that our own country does not decline and fall into chaos and tyranny. I do want to take my role as a citizen and community member more seriously and do what I can to encourage a feeling/identity/awareness of "we" in those groups that I belong to.

The earthquake, hurricane, Israel.

The drought my part of the country has experienced this year, and the hottest summer on record has been hard, tiring and frightening. I worry that we have passed the point of no return in our degradation of the planet.

Osama bin Laden getting killed. For some people, it is a cause of celebration because it finally "brought justice" to all the violence and deaths that the man was involved with. However, I don't think the death of a man, no matter how evil he may be, is something to be happy about. An eye for an eye, they say? Well, if you kill another because they killed a whole lot of others as well, it's not going to do any good, it's not giving justice to anything. It is only promoting more violence and bloodshed in this world.

Murdoch's corporate drones preyed on civilians via their cellphones and he came out of it untouched. Just one more incident that puts me on the side of culture jammers and other outside-the-system types.

The recession. It made it impossible to find a job at home so to China it was.

The London Riots. A very good friend of mine lives there and I was concerned on hearing the news that peoples lives had been in danger due to the riots. It also saddened me, to think of the utter disregard and disrespect the people involved had for their neighbors and fellow society members. It made me ask myself, "What is the world coming to?". I see many people these days totally focused on themselves and achieving material success without any regard for others and often trampling on others to get what they want. I'm not sure how long this mentality can go on for but there has to be a breaking point. However, it made me appreciate the people in my life who do care about those around them. These are the people I aim to surround myself with, who inspire me to be a better person and achieve success in an honest way.

There's so much. The earthquake/tsunami/partial meltdown in Japan, the ongoing recession, Arab spring, all come to mind immediately. I feel like I'm living in a time of major change (possibly more than we are ready for) and things will hopefully be on their way for the better. I've thought about mortality, family, and path-making more than I have in previous years.

The Rwandan refugees trying to escape to places where there was food. Their food was being kept from them by the rebel armies. The stories about woman walking with their children through the desert with the odds against them were difficult to hear. The heartbreaking stories about women who had to leave a child behind because the child was too weak to go on and the mother needed to care for the ones who had a better chance of surviving. Incomprehensible. It made me want to get involved in helping make the world a better place; a feeling that is never far away. By the time I read this next year, I hope I will have found my niche/calling.

The global financial meltdown really rocked me. I started planning for my future early, only to see much of what I saved via 401ks and other plans go down the drain. I'm convinced the majority of governments don't care about their citizens. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 really had a huge impact on me this year. When the attacks happened 10 years ago I was only in 2nd grade. I honestly had no idea what was going on at the time. Over the years, I finally began to discover the devastation that was caused by this attack. I just couldn't comprehend how a group of people could just blatantly hurt innocent humans like that. I might not have known what was happening 10 years ago, but this year, I was proud to stand by every other American, remembering those who died in the towers and those who risked their lives to try and save them.

We killed Osama bin Laden this year. It impacted me because I thought about my friend Josh, who was a Navy Seal who gave his life to the war in Iraq. There is also a movement called Occupy that has formed protests against Wall Street. It will be interesting to know how this group has grown or possibly disbanded. It will also be interesting to know if we have finally pulled troops out of Iraq. Or who is president- or if the world ends in 2012. I have a feeling we will all still be here. God may have other plans.

I very rarely pay attention to the news, politics, or anything. Since I was in first grade when 9/11 happened I never knew the whole story behind it, but I finally learned everything and it all came together for me when I found out that Bin Laden was killed. It was one of the first times that I finally paid a lot of attention to a current event and knew what was going on.

The Midterm Elections really humbled me. I worked over 60 hours canvassing and phonebanking for the North Carolina Democratic Party, so I was pretty pissed when the Republicans took over the U.S. House for the first time in 4 years and the the North Carolina General Assembly for the first time in 114 years. I realized that not everyone thinks exactly like I do and that what the Democrats had in 2009-2010 was special; such liberal dominance is not likely to come again soon. On the more personal level, I've been humbled by the drastic cuts to education that the General Assembly is making. I used to think of North Carolina as a Democratic bastion amidst a conservative South, but the state's disregard for the education system has shattered my faith in governance. I'm really scared that my university will go from being one of the best public schools in the world to just another run-of-the-mill Southern school. That's heartbreaking.

hm that would be Obama's death, it definitely felt like closure and steve jobs resigning he was such an icon an amazing inspiration a snippet Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to helpme make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way Iknow to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

The focus on all the Tea Party people into office affected me because I realized that there are so many people who bought their craziness hook, line and sinker. It seems mean spirited, so "anti" everything.

All these natural disasters that have occurred around the world. china, queensland, New zealand, Haiti, various parts in america. it is just not fair. i feel it made me see the world in a different way, made me more empathetic as the media really conveyed strong images and made me appreciate the things i have and the life i live. i truely am lucky to be in a good area with a house and family.

It was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. It's really tough for me because I defined that day and time as the moment that I "lost my innocence". It was like I realized that their is evil in the world and as much as I wanted to love everyone I knew it'd be hard. So much has changed within me in 10 years. And just realizing that me like America have become stronger. And I realize that I can be a part of the change for the future. I watched the memorial and I cried, not because I was said, but because of the hope that I have and the fact that no matter what, we can always bounce back.

whoah. the london riots. the arab spring. there are so many on a global level. but the thing that really springs to mind was the execution of Troy Davis. It shook my heart to believe that there was what sounded like pretty firm evidence indicating that many of the witnesses accusing him of the murder had in fact retracted their testimonies, that there were many holes in the case, hundreds of thousands of people rallying against it, and still he was executed just a couple of weeks ago. seeing the outpouring of support for him and his appeals, including the Pope and realizing that none of this mattered and that he was going to be executed nonetheless. i felt deeply sad to live in such a world and a country where this could be possible. We really may have murdered an innocent man on our watch. many innocent men on our watch. the only potential upshot from it was the fact that so many people galvanized support against the death penalty as a result, that at some point perhaps it will no longer exist. i send blessings to his soul as he passes over and blessings on the souls of all involved. Even the haters.

The death of a wonderful visionary, Steve Jobs, who has always been a major sourse of inspiration for me was the one single event that significantly affected me this year. It happened just two days ago an upon reading about the saddening news on twitter, I couldn't help but feel remorse for the entire night. I remember sitting on my couch amd contemplating the event. I ended up in tears after losing cotrol of my thoughts and felt great sympathy for his loved ones and family.. I never once met Mr. Jobs yet he is one of those figures that was relentlessly inspirational to me as an artist and aspiring designer. His biography was motivational and speeches inspiring. He created an impact that forever changed the world and greatly affected mine. This is what I wrote on my blog about him that very night I mourned over his death: I know for a fact that my love for design and understanding of the role it plays in my life would not be so apparent had it not been for Steve Jobs. His words of encouragement spoken to all those who cared to listen always ignited a spark of hope within me. I’ve never been so affected by the death of a man I never met, as I am at this very moment. He’s not just some ingenious being who’s innovative way of thinking played an important role in the development of technology today… But also someone who believed in the potential, dexterity, and talent of those who were passionate. He was a visionary who encouraged risk-taking and caring less about the mindless opinion of others and following your intuition. He was an avid preacher of living life the way you want to without letting anyone discourage you from otherwise. He showed the world that different is good and that life is too short to be held back by what other people think. Believe in yourself.. Because this is your world that you live in. This ability he had to make you realize what’s important in life .. Well it was mind blowing.. and for that… I am forever thankful. Thank you, Mr. Jobs. You will always be an inspiration to me. “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” -Steve Jobs “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” -Steve Jobs

One event that impacted me this year is the tornado that hit down south, especially in areas like Joplin, Missouri. Both my school and my region in BBYO got involved and it was amazing seeing a difference I could make.

The aggravation in the Middle East has very much so effected me. I hear a lot about the conflicts because I am so involved in my Jewish community. Seeing the conflicts has made me judge what I believe to be morally right or wrong and It is redefining me as a person and helping me discover who I am as a Jew. It is also helping me to empathize with and have sympathy for all those who have sacrificed everything, even their lives to protect their countries and what they believe to be right.

The tent cities in Israel really inspired me. A nation coming together, in the streets, beyond age, ethnicity, religious stream etc, to fight for one cause in unity - how often do you see this? It made me really jealous I wasn't there to feel the vibe of a country so small, where everyone stood united to make a difference. This proves the ethos of the Shulchan Aruch that the Jewish people are responsible over one another. Collective responsibility howaya!

the tsunami in japan affected me deeply. the tragedy of losing everything in an instant, entire communities and families... everything is transient, we have such a tenuous grasp on this world during our lifetime. each of us has a personal responsibility to do our best with what we have been given.

The economy plummeting and creating a domino affect across the globe showed me how connected we all really are.

The tsunami in Japan is the first thing that comes to mind: the images of whole neighborhoods being washed away. Seeing the fragility of the "security" we've set up for ourselves, and then watching it come home to upstate NY, where I live, as whole roads were washed out and farms flooded. It makes me feel so small and fragile, yet part of the collective human experiment.

In the Jewish year of 5771, (2010)I actually was with my fiancé in the UK when the December 9th Student Riots hit London. The disarray of feelings that were "painted" on stone relics like Churchill and The House Of Commons the next day broke my heart. They woke me to the fact of how abandoned my generation was in the 80s and 90s. How we were pacified with promises of only "working hard to get ahead" and economically we would be sure to succeed like the Baby Boomers did ...in excess. "In excess." How ill-prepared we were to prepare ourselves then or these rioting students of today that swarmed in from across the country only to discover that our "sure thing" and foundations have been built on crumbling asphalt. Health is not a "right" or a privilege to expect or rely on. An education is not a "right" or privilege. Where are we going and how do we change now?

Hard to think of one that impacted me beyond natural disasters like the earthquake/tsunami in Japan. Yet at same time I feel like I was not as involved or helpful as I could have been. Jesus Gonzalez running for Brooklyn office impacted me since I worked with him as a youth years ago and was amazed to see what he has become, what he could build, even if he didn't win. It was a start.

Hmm.. this is a wierd one this year, but I guess Chavez getting cancer. After spending so much time in Venezuela I grew to really like the country and it makes me sad to see him drive it into the ground. For the first time I found myself really wishing badly on someone, like hoping he would die to release Venezuela from his grip. I'm not really proud of this, but its like I almost feel like its the only way the country can move forward.

I'm pissed off at the congress and single issue politicians. How about some compromise? The near shutdown of the government (TWICE!) has really soured my outlook on Washington

the london riots and more recently the wall street protests.It impacted me because they are such tragic events that could have been prevented if people sucked less.The two events are very different,because at one point both sides were wrong.With the london riots,the "protestors" were vile.they looted, and abused people,and that is just sick.In the wall street riots, the police were at fault.there is no need for the amount of brutality they used on unarmed protesters.Both events kind of made me hate people,because both of those things are very real events that are in your face.The wall street riots could happen here, even though i think if people protested schooling or debt it would quickly turn into looting and such because of all the shitty people in this city

Occupy Wall Street. I am cautiously optimistic that the so-called silent majority is beginning to notice that democracy (or whatever we think our system of government was supposed to be) is hardly served by having given ALL the power to those who expertly accumulate capital and bleed resources out of the system that is supposed to be shared. I think that the younger folks are finally figuring out that their parents generation is not so much the enemy as bestowing personhood on corporations may have been a mistake that needs to be rectified.

I tend not to be affected deeply by happenings around the world. They are too just abstract in our media saturated world. But I did visit the Wall Street protests in NYC recently, and while one can scoff at the hippy-dippy trappings, I was impressed and inspired by the resolve of these people—especially because they are mostly right! What has happened to us as a society that we are so blind to the huge suffering happening right in our back yards? That our government has all but abandoned anyone not rich? How did we get so greedy and callous?

The Occupy Wall Street protests that are happening right now have made my brain spin a little bit. I'm torn between wanting to march right along with them and wanting to yell at them and tell them to run for office if they're so pissed. That's the difference between the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street -- the Tea Partiers got so pissed they ran for office and won. Maybe a year from now I'll have moved to Canada to avoid the crazies.

While there were many events that happened on a global and national scale this year that affected me, the one that most comes to mind is an event that happened locally. When Jenni-Lyn went missing, and was subsequently found murdered, it really had an effect on me and those who knew her throughout Central NY. The Talmud's words are true; affecting one life affects the whole world. In the days before and after her funeral, many lamented the potential that was wasted, but I don't see it that way at all. While Jenni-Lyn certainly would have given much more had her life not been cut so tragically short, what Jenni-Lyn did with her time on earth was anything but a waste. Jenni-Lyn lived up to her potential everyday; she was outgoing and kind-hearted and she radiated this out into the world, both on stage in pointe-shoes to off-stage with friends. Losing her reminded us what is important in this world, and now that justice has been served in her name, I hope that all who knew who will remember her for her life and not for her death.

I think Occupy Wall Street has impacted the nation greatly this year. Although I don't really know what it's about and who it affects, I've been reading all the posts on imgur about being the 99%, and some of the stories are really moving. There have been a lot of protests around the nation, and a lot of change.

Honestly, this year, my microcosm has been much more important that the macrocosm. Basically, as long as my immediate life is in check, I feel like the world around me will be alright somehow.

The "Arab spring" and processes of democratization throughout the middle east followed by large-scale protests in Israel for social justice and now on Wall Street (Occupation Wall Street in NY and cities around the country) has somewhat reaffirmed for me the power of the individual to create change. It's amazing to see what individuals and communities have been capable of in this country and around the globe. I wish that the upcoming year will reaffirm this belief for me even more strongly and that I will come to believe that not only is this possible for some but for me as well. That I am capable of changing my community, country, and world.

Definitely the huge suffering from the earthquakes and sunami in Japan. My wife's family is from Japan and her sister was living pretty close to Sendai at the time of the sunami. I heard personal stories of amzing survival as well as terrible tragedies. I felt the terrible uncertainty that my wife felt when she was unable to contact her parents and sister for days after the quake or get news of her aunt and uncle who lived in Sendai, due to communications issues. The way the Japanese people responded to this disaster by pulling together and not resorting to looting or rioting , was very impressive, even though there were severe shortages of energy, food and water in some areas, and getting around was nearly impossible on damaged roads and public transportation. We can learn a lot from them on many levels.

My hometown suffered a major natural disaster - in fact, a series of them. The earthquakes have killed many people, and destroyed the heart of our city. I have seen many of my friends and family do amazing things in the wake of the disaster. I have also seen failure of government response, and the slow strangling of hope and resilience by red tape and heartless insurance organisations. There is a lot of good and evil in the world, and you never know what will expose you to either.

Either supporting the revolution in Libya - it shows that we (the West) can do something right for once - or European economies nearing collapse - we are more fragile than we think.

I think the legalization of gay marriage in New York really impacted me. With all of the gay friends I've made in college and my brother coming out my Freshman year, it really was a celebration close to my heart. I was so happy for the thousands that would be affected by this moment of change. The revolts in Egypt hit a little harder than I expected as well. It was just weeks after I had been in Israel and a Political Science course had me thinking more globally. Having Mary's family being so close to the violence, it hit me hard. The following revolts in Libya brought Israel into the media again.

The "Arab Spring" , it gave me such hope that real positive change could take place. I know change takes time but I just see the same radicals with the same anti-Israel agenda being their fall back position when they cannot deliver to their people the basic needs of food, free speech, democracy (their own incarnation of it is fine), education and basic civil right. Israel has it's problems to be sure, but they would live in peace if they were ever really offered it. I t is so strange to me that the hatred is easier for people fall back on rather than working for real peace. Peace is better, it is that simple. Greed, power and control (or the illusion of it) never bring about anything good. The middle east will have the same depots just with different names. The only victims will be their people who at the end of the day just want to live normal everyday lives and worry about money, global warming and their soccer team like everyone else!

A world event. Hm. Strange, I can't think of anything that big that has happened this year. Obama got rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell. That was good. Doesn't affect me, but is good for gay rights. Occupy Wall St. has been going on for a while now. Maybe two weeks or so. It makes me wanna join the protest but I am scared. Also I am at school. This was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack. Scary shit. I try not to think about it too much. Awful things happen every day all over the world, and it's not fair to dwell on that. There were civil wars in the middle east this year. I guess they are over now, or at least subsided. There is something I love about the idea of a revolution, even though I hate violence. I guess it just gives me hope, cause this world is not perfect. Osama bin Laden was killed. Which showed me how disgusting humans can be. People were celebrating his death. July 7 – The world's first artificial organ transplant is achieved, using an artificial windpipe coated with stem cells. This probably affects me the most even though it was not covered by media very much. This is the future. This is how we can make meat from growing just animal parts. This will help animals. Of course, it's also a huge medical development. Eventually every human body part will probably be able to be replaced.

During my tour of the Middle East I had to fly over Syria and Libya to avoid the fighting. I wonder how the new governments will evolve. No doubt some will return to more of the same by a different power group. Some might become more involved in fairer sharing of resources and power, but I am not holding much hope. I think there is more telling them what they want to hear than genuine reform.

31 miners in Chile were trapped underground for over a month earlier this year. In a miraculous feat for modern technology and civilization, they were all resuced. I remember watching the rescue on my TV in SoFoHo, and while I was walking past the DUC Cafe. It is amazing what the human spirit is capable of, if we put our minds to it. Very inspiring.

There have been several events - from local flooding, the loss of their home to fire of a friend, to the recession and ongoing wars. Three suicides in our local jail have also impacted me. It has made me feel powerless in some ways, but always we have the power of our responses. Each of us can make a difference in our own spheres of influence. It can be challenging to not get discouraged, but I want to trust God always.

Repeal of DADT. I never plan to go into the military but this is still a huge step forward for equal rights for all American citizens.

The Arab Spring impacted me because it opened my eyes to issues concerning the Middle East and also influenced my decision to take a Muslim World class this semester. In my class, I'm learning a lot more about the causes of the Arab Spring and the problems with the Muslim World, those created by external and internal forces.

Learning about the ongoing corruption in the banking industry, and the way that stock prices are being propped up by the government's policy "quantitative easing" (money printing) has shaken my faith in American capitalism and the future we can expect. I no longer believe that we will necessarily bounce back financially, and I wonder how to plan for a future where there may not be any longterm economic growth.

The troubles in Iran mean I get a new godson. Occupy Wall Street is amazing. I'm hoping it will be something I can get more involved in - I went to the meeting today. Jack Layton died, but left us with OPTIMISM as a watchword. How I hope it will hold and last. I am very worried about Harper's omnibus crime bill. The world economies are falling apart. I worry a bit.

It was a very local event - the Binghamton flood of 2011. It was really devastating for this area and I felt really scared about my local area for the first time. I'm trying to help in flood relief, but one month later, it is still really difficult.

Amazingly, it's the death of Steve Jobs. I am surprised at how deeply it hit me. Not that I knew him or particularly liked him. It inspires me to treasure something each day. When I get grumpy or discouraged, I think "Steve would probably be delighted to have this moment of opportunity". And it helps me to get off my a-- and go do something.

In the world? Who wasn't affected by the economy? Rising tuition costs to finish a degree in a market where so many of my kind are unemployed, the increasing uselessness of an undergrad degree. Man oh man. This is the year where money truly made me more pessimistic.

The earthquakes and tsunami in Japan were devastating to millions. The world turned to look, and then moved on. Such a world. In Japan, they are forever changed. Their patience, kindness and resilience is inspiring. We are all we have. We never know when we will lose each other. That we could each love and live, what a world this could be.

The Arab Spring. It has been inspiring to see people in the Middle East be so brave to confront dictators in their countries. I can't even imagine the financial, health, and psychological effects of living under a dictatorship, much less a dictatorship that is willing to kill its own people to remain in power (see: Syria, Libya, etc.). It makes me hopeful that, in the future, the greater Middle East and the U.S. will respect one another. I also hope that it pushes Israel to take action towards a two-state solution - though, sadly, I doubt it.

The rioting in Britain really shocked and depressed me. I was saddened that a large number of people behaved in such an uncivilised manner, destroying their own communities without any sense of shame or regret.

As most of my answers have mentioned, the earthquake and tsunami really affected me. I have friends who lost their hometowns. Just swept away. It made me realize that nothing on this earth is permanent. Your life can be pulled out from underneath you in a moment's notice.

Definitely the effects of the flooding on all the small farms that we depend on for our food. A much more immediate lesson in how we need to pay attention to the sources of our food, become more engaged in supporting local sources--maybe have chickens! I see a path of perhaps...perhaps...more activism around these issues.

Financial meltdown in the market ironically enough has gotten me more relaxed about retirement. It will basically be harder than I had planned but it will be that way for all and it is time to give away more to others and focus on less material pursuits.

I think the nuclear disaster and the tsunami in Japan. I don´t know why but.. I can´t imagine living there with nothing and with a lot of danger with the nuclear things

It was the sum total of the natural disasters in the world over the past year: Haiti, the Gulf oil spill, Japan and the fires in the SW that impacted me. What we are doing to the environment and to the poor people in this world because of our actions, reactions, inactions is criminal.

Budget cuts to teacher's pay and benefits has made me rethink my career choice once again.

There have been so many big events this year...I guess that happens every year? But I get overwhelmed by things like this and it reduces my ability to recall any single one unless (like 9-11) it's so horrendous or impactful it will stay with me for a lifetime. This is the problem. Too many big events, but also too many events - of all sizes, reaching us via so many avenues...it's information overload and has prevented me from perhaps paying as deep attention to any one event. I think I try to distance myself a little bit or else I will become sad and bitter at all the suffering...and I can only focus on improving my corner of the world...I can't do it all, so I think I don't let other issues penetrate me as much. Of course, this answer presumes that an event that would impact me would be a bad one! There were good things in the world, too...but they get less press and are sometimes harder to recall.

The riots in London this past summer impacted me fairly deeply. I had my first experience w London just a month prior and had fallen in love with it. I loved the people, the history, the architecture, the landmarks. I had been interested in the protests I spontaneously ran into around Parliamentary Square and found some common themes of discontent thruout the UK that we are also struggling with in the US. So when the city exploded in violence and fire and looting a few weeks after my return it hit me very deeply. Watching the people and places I had developed such affection for being destroyed was heart breaking. There were many such events around the world this past yr but I felt a connection to this one probably because I could so readily put myself back there. I think another reason it impacted me deeply was because it was so sudden and in many ways unexpected. The whole world seems to be on edge these days and these riots just showed how quickly that tension could explode into chaos, even for a city that is normally very safe and well behaved. I realized that the same thing could happen anywhere at any moment. With the Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Everywhere protests here in the US there is a part of me that feels they could explode in the same way at any moment.

The violence in my country México, that impact me so deep that move me to make something to change that. I decided to make a group on line to give good news to my people, to show them that is not just evil people out there, There is many people who want a peaceful life too

There have been several natural disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the earthquakes in Virginia, the various hurricane we've had, that have accentuated the effects of our environmental manipulation for me. I have a feeling we're just going to see more and more climate-related disasters as we go forward.

This year, politics in general have affected me. So many people complain about the decisions made (or not made by the world's leaders). But these same people are completely apathetic when their voices CAN be heard (such as in elections). Or even worse, they'll vote without actually understanding the issues and the standpoints of the parties, instead listening to the attack ads posted all over the internet.

While I can't point to a single event, the so-called "Arab Spring" and other revolutionary, populist movements (e.g., in Israel and the United States) impressed me. Avoiding the political particulars, I think these uprisings, most of which resulted in concrete change(s), are valuable, inspiring events for the world to witness. While my faith in the necessity of regular revolution is not as complete as that of my fellow Virginian, Thomas Jefferson ("The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is its natural manure."), the dramatic revolutions in the Middle East and the appearance of other sustained, popular protests remind citizens that they have ways of fomenting change (especially in democracies) when they feel strongly that it's needed. More importantly, the uprisings remind those in power of the potential for revolution.

Watching the Arab Spring has been pretty crazy. It's hard to believe that the Arab world is finally getting a chance at freedom. More important to me is the ongoing Occupy Wallstreet event. I finally have a shred of hope in the youth of this country. Maybe we will finally be listened to, that things will change. However I'm also terrified that nothing will happen. That the movement will be brutally crushed.

I have often thought in the last 10 years, with the emphasis on the "ageing baby boomers, that I was ahead of the curve by encountering those experiences about 3 years before they did. I am a part of the "quiet" generation, born during the War, and so have been dealing with ageism in the workplace, the dismay of a body that no longer responds to my 16 year old mind like it once did, the economic downturn and resultant depression of wealth and entitlement as an American, the leaching of enthusiasm, the increased worry about my progeny's future and the increasing cynicism of all of us in the political and monetary systems that surround us. I've also watched as the marketplace has produced some amazing "Senior Helper" products that have, in truth been amazing, innovative and helpful - great American ingenuity! Some days it seems that we are in the evening of a great day in our country with another dawn in doubt. Then I try to enumerate the ways my life and my country's life has it so much better than a (literal) million others on the planet and it encourages me once again to keep on keeping on.

The recession has me more nervous about everything.

The 10-year anniversary of 9-11; & reflection upon what our world has become. It frightens me sometimes, and makes me realize that I honestly believe that Society is declining. I love those close to me, so very much. Also, all the Natural Disasters happening ..... It;s Mother Nature and she cannot be controlled.

There are so many... I think the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the spread of gay marriage have been on my mind the most though. I am so proud of the progress we have made as a country, but I also realize that it is tenuous - a Republican president could re-instate the military policy, among other scary things! I have also become more aware of how critical same-sex marriage is, especially since getting married myself. How can we deny people that right?!?

I have been so bogged down by personal things that I have not attended to outside events like I think I should.

Steve Jobs died. I never met him. I’m not even sure he is a hero. But he is an icon, a more authentic Howard Roark than Roark himself. I intend to take his Stanford commencement to heart and not wring my hands too much over his passing. With hard work, smart thinking and a little luck, a lot of people are capable of being visionary leaders.

This was the ten year anniversary of 9.11. I saw the families of the children who lost parents, and I looked at the world and hoped for so much more. I realized I have taken such a small role in helping greater mankind, society and everyone around me, and I felt like I need to give more. I wonder about the world my children will grow up in, and I want to show them, through example, that they have the power to make a difference.

I think 9/11/2001 has effected most of us. It has left me to believe life is precious and temporary. I think it has made me too cautious with my grandchildren.

Japanese Tsunami, marriage of Kate and William, Osama Bin Laden killed, space program ended, Mexican drug wars, Chilean miners rescued, Amy Weinhouse dies, gabriel Giffords shot, Earthquake in New Zealand, US weather, tornados, flooding, American hikers release from Iran, Amanda Knox acquited. debt ceiling, credit crisis, BP Oil spill, Steve Jobs passes. The events that have impacted me the most are the weather related floods, tsunami, tornados, hurricanes. Despite all these extreme examples, people still deny the impacts of climate change. Wondering when our elected officials will begin to get it.

The earthquake in Japan demonstrated to be how fragile our eco-system is...The earthquake followed by the Tsunami followed by the nuclear plant dysfunction- raised my awareness of how careful we have to be.

A world event that impacted me this year was the depth of Steve Jobs. As a teenager, I've grown up on his products and my whole life is practically built around his invention. This also brought death and life more into perspective for myself and led to questioning about purpose and life.

It's not one event. It's many. The earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in Haiti, the BP oil spill in the Gulf, Hurricane Irene. I'm sure there are others. It feels like the planet is fighting back against all the damage we have done to it. I waiver between determination to tread more lightly on the earth and leave a smaller environmental footprint and despair that nothing I can do will make a difference.

Definitely the death of Steve Jobs. Really, I didn't think it would hit me as hard as it did. I have almost everything Apple has made - iPhone, iPad, iPod, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, plus keyboards, mice, and remotes! Steve really was one of a kind - everything from his childhood up to his death is an amazing story. And sadly, I think I was more sad about Steve's death than I'll be about my own father's (granted I'm not very fond of my dad). Microsoft or Google or whoever decided to postpone their launch of a new product in respect to Steve's death. Imagine that. The COMPETITION decides to delay the launch of their product. I think Mr. Jobs touched so many people's lives and set an example of how one should run a business. To love and be passionate about your career and the products you make and the people you leave an impression on.

I think all of the uprisings in the middle east...Syria, Egypt, etc. had an impact on how I'm seeing the world. I always predicted that the Internet would revolutionize communication and bring us together. Yet I didn't predict its ability to spur revolution. It's wonderful, magnificent and yet terrifying at the same time considering my ancestors' past to see how quickly an entire nation can be thrown into chaos and upheaval. I find it troublesome because the wrong person may realize how easily they can tip the political scales in their favor and wield that power over others.

The Japan earthquake and tsunami. Totally incomprehensible and heartbreaking.

Japan earthquake. The exchange student my family hosted in HS is from Sendai where a lot of damage took place. I donated where I could.

Although the Holocaust occured 68 years ago, my visit to Poland this year definitely had a massive impact on me. It made me realise how quickly things can change, and that i should live every second of my life, because it can all be gone so quickly!

The earthquake in Japan & subsequent nuclear meltdown at fukishima. This planet is beautiful and treachurous, and the information flow from governments in the name of preventing panics is always alarming. However, afterwards, listening to NPR there was a story about how the best first responders in any natural disaster are your neighbors because they know how many people are in your house and where your bedrooms may be. I just had moved into my new house, alone w/ the kids, and I became a bit obsessed with needing to meet my neighbors. God forbid there's a disaster, we need to know who each other are so we can help each other out. Also, Steve Jobs died this past week. He was truly a visionary that changed the world. There are always a handful in every generation. He was one of the big ones of my generation. He died too young. There was so much more he still had to contribute to the world. I am alive, what can I contribute to change the world in a better way? Friendex? Maybe... Sometimes I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk, wondering what my "special purpose" is. But I truly do wonder what is the spark in my heart that will light a flame in the world? Everyone has one, if they can just hear it clearly and listen to what it says.

The ten-year anniversary of 9/11. I'm Muslim. You do the math. Other than that, all the natural disasters struck me greatly. The Canadian federal elections this past summer made me realize how much I do want change, and that I can and will make it happen.

I think the showdown in Wisconsin over collective bargaining rights has been one of the most riveting and attention-grabbing event I have experienced. Although the battle itself was lost, I think it really woke up American progressives and inspired them to fight back against the increasingly evident war against the middle class, and the still-unfolding Occupy Wall Street movement is the more the proof. I daresay, it also inspired me, as a scholar of labor history to feel the relevance of my discipline again.

The tsunami in Japan. I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently that country started to pick up the pieces. It was an incredible example to set for the rest of the world.

Arab Spring Changed my view of missle east and north africa society

I have not subjectively felt the significance of any world event these past 12 months. Perhaps, the most significant for me would be the beatification of Karol Wojtyla, a Bishop of Rome beloved to many and considered to be someone very close to God. John Paul II was Pope for a long time and he was the first one I saw in person when he visited the Philippines again during World Youth Day in Manila in January 1995.

It was the 10th anniversary of 09/11/2011. Although thinking about what happened to those people make me sick, and I understand the need to remember what happened as part of our history. My cousin was luck to have made it out alive and I appreciate those around me and that we have never had to live through and event ourselves. Also, the state of the economy has affected how those and I live and spend. It has me worried for the future in many ways and I hope the USA can right itself again.

The most obvious world event was the Arab Spring. I watched as people stood up and stated that the status quo, that what was working in the past, was not acceptable anymore. I also watched with fear as a place that was very volatile under normal circumstances could spill into utter anarchy. I felt I was one of the few American Jews that felt inspired watching people from Arab nations fighting for their G-d given rights. Another event that truly affected my life was the constant bickering of the United States Congress and the President. We almost ended up with a government shutdown and almost ended up defaulting on our payments. It made me so mad that these grown leaders, who WE elected to serve OUR needs as US citizens cared more about pandering and posturing rather than taking care of our needs. I was also enraged at my friends who didn't vote, because their lack of care, affected my livelihood as a resident of Washington, D.C., where my representative is not allowed voting privileges. Both events reminded me in general that one vote and one voice can affect the welfare of millions. They both serve as a reminder that one may live in a blue state, a red state, an Arab state, or a Jewish state, but we are all connected and every decision we make has the power to affect everyone of us.

Perhaps the tsunami in Japan, followed by the nuclear plant issues. Having a friend living over there made the situation all that much more real to me. I wish I ahd seen her while she was stateside.

The economic earthquakes have affected me--my work, my income, how much I can give to my children for their education. I see the numbers of their college funds fall by large percentages and it is deeply distressing. My mother's retirement is a third of what it was. And it wasn't much to begin with--certainly I will need to help her in the future. Wish I could say it's inspired me to get more involved in politics, or the global situation,, but it has the exact opposite effect. It makes me want to retreat.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan. No doubt. I've been there four times and was in a panic when I heard about it. A close friend lives in Tokyo and spent time in the tsunami zone and still suffers from nightmares. I also have many friends there. I'll never forget the text my friend Howie sent at 130am (thinking I was awake) saying that Fukushima was about to explode. I had to take more sleeping pills to get through that night. Verizon Fios had added NHK news to their lineup a few weeks prior to the quake. It was scary - and enlightening - to see the news from Japan in real time by a Japanese news agency.

Mark Zuckerberg was named Person of the Year by "TIME" magazine. It took me a while to answer this question. No wait... to type it. I didn't want to admit the reality. How could I not be more impacted by a natural disaster, or something that happened in a 3rd world country?!? The article opened my eyes to the big picture. Social media had always interested me, and I was starting to learn more about branding and internet marketing. At the beginning I was frightened by how dependent we have become to technology, yet it fascinated and intrigued me. It made me examine how the internet and FB have legit changed my life. (This includes also the passing of Steve Jobs -- which reminded me of how I used to play "Number Crunchers" on the mac computers we got in 5th grade). It got me thinking........How can one person (someone MY AGE) change the world?? How can we be visionaries, how can we dream big and turn our aspirations into reality?? The digital age completely blows my mind. I feel like I have power. My friend would say the world is literally at my fingertips, and she's so right; I can get any bit of information I want. I am smarter, stronger. Heck, just doing workout videos on youtube helped me lose weight. The world is 10000000 trillionnnnnn times different than it was before computers, and it will only keep changing and moving. My hope is that it will transform for the better, that we will not forget about being personable, about the power of human touch, that we will not forget how to be human...

The earthquake in Japan. The instantaneous destruction of lives and property; the danger and cover up of the nuclear power station. My heart broke with the images of human suffering and I began to ask questions about how we as a society can ignore the "costs of progress" ...

I was rather surprised by my reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden. Where as a lot of people found this a cause for rejoicing, I found myself with more questions. I didn't feel the same sense of vengeance that so many others seemed to express.

Our economy is struggling and our currency was devalued for the first time in our country's history. Our nation is sinking under our current leadership. I fear for my children and their children.

20-odd years ago, the Berlin Wall fell, and my interest turned to Eastern Europe. By travelling to Belarus, I met my future wife and became an EFL teacher. 20 years on, and this year's inauguration was the Arab Spring. Our response as a family was to holiday in Morocco and make some real friends out there, from Holland and Agadir. Coincidence? I don't think so.

When Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot, I felt such a hopelessness, such an immediate sense that all is not right in America, and an overwhelming fear that it may never again be alright. In the end, it doesn't matter what the politics are of the man who shot her and who killed others that day -- what fueled my sense of helplessness was how immediately the event was politicized. Lives were lost, and people were bickering over whether the president spoke at the memorial service to boost his numbers? Shameful.

In general, the cost of living has gone up across the board. Since our income was at an (almost) all time low, it had us down to double digits by months' end. Sometimes it was very scary, always stressful.

It's kind of obvious really. My answer, that is. The February 22nd earthquake. I've posted about this online enough times that it's become routine and kind of boring to type up. 6.3. 12.51pm. 181 dead. Power out. Silt in the streets. 3/4 of the CBD is being nrought down. Many building were damaged, not just home, but also our Cathedral and our Arts Centre. I dunno what to say really. I guess I'm just proud of myself for sticking it out. Staying in my hometown when many have fled. And helping with the aftermath through the SVA. I wish that this earthquake hadn't taken lives and hurt Christchurch and it's people. But in some ways I'm glad that it's happened. Because of it, I know how strong I can be. I know I can get through something of this magnitude (pun not intended). I know what to do in a similar situation. I know I can rely on myself. I had to. And it was awful. But I did it. And that's how I know I'm strong. But then again in some ways the earthquake has impacted negatively on my life. I couldn't watch or hear about anything remotely to do with death for a good couple months. And I don't think I could ever live in a high rise building. High rise being over three storeys I think. In an unfamiliar place I'll always want to know the exit options and I probably wouldn't stay anywhere above the 3rd floor for much longer than a few minutes. It might seem overly cautious, and I'm not even considered one of the 'survivors' who panic and over think things, but I think I can justify my actions now and in the future by saying that it was such an out-of-the-blue event. It's not like we expected it. And because of that I'll forever be a little wary. But I think I'm ok with living like that. It hasn't yet stopped me from living my life to the fullest exent possible post-quake and that's what matters most.

The more extreme weather we're experiencing because of global warming. Hurricane Irene was probably just a taste of things to come. It makes me nervous to think about the how the changing environment will impact our home, our family and our kids future.

The financial crisis has affected me in many ways, particularly as the film industry has suffered many cuts. In fact, this has in part been the reason why I have not been so proactive in terms of looking for new employment. Although the global financial crisis has not had a direct influence on the current decision to relocate PPI to LA, it has contributed to this general feeling that there is a lack of stability in this particular work sector, and maybe I should reassess my career path.

The London riots happened round the corner of my house, but for all the heartache and fear that occurred I think some positives came out. I think that people realised that there are real problems, that our society has become so materialistic. It also showed me the power of social media for bad and good, in the organisation of the riots and the restoring of normality. People raised money to ensure that people got back on there feet. I found that really heartwarming, especially when it was so close to me.

The Arab Spring has been scary because the void in the world will have major implications for the rise of radical Islam as already seen in Egypt.

I am really in my own little world here and even though there were lots of events in the world, non of them have seemed to impact me directly. I cannot imagine how those who are affected have to deal with their events and I pray they find the personal strength they need to make it through.

The Arab Summer really caught my attention and inspired hope in me that civilians can illicit change amidst so much adversity and injustice. It made me hopeful that one day we will all treat one another fairly and inspired me to take action on a micro level as well. As Dr. King said, "a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," and it seems everywhere is lit up!

Maybe the riots in Egypt and Libanan. Honestly, I can't remember any remarkable event... But this two occasions showed me and made me believe, that very soon Armenia will change to the better.

What: Hurricane Irene flooding of upstate NY. How: It flooded my mom's house. Why: Because global warming is causing more severe and unusual weather patterns, such as hurricanes hitting the northeastern US with unprecedented flooding.

The death of Osama bin Laden. I remember hearing about it and not caring. I figured with the life he had been leading for 10 years, it wouldn't have surprised me if he had already been dead. While his attacks on our nation were unimaginably evil, I felt uncomfortable about how people were celebrating the death of another person.

This is a hard question. So many events in the world have impacted me -- the earthquake in Japan, the uprisings in the Middle East, even the chaotic tornadoes and floods in the United States. The most impactful, I think, was the Japan earthquake and the resulting hard work and perseverance by the Japanese people to rebuild and repair. Unlike people who have suffered casulaties in other places (to wit: the United States), the Japanese did not ask for pity, or even for help. They set to rebuilding and had made incredible repairs in as little as six days. I was struck by the elderly and retirees who insisted upon repairing the nuclear reactor that malfunctioned, choosing to expose themselves to radiation and preserve the lives of their younger countrymen (and women). Such selflessness and compassion is rarely seen in our materialistic, selfish society. The strength and dignity the Japanese people showed in such a terrible situation really touched me.

Occupy Wall Street. I realized that so many people feel that same way I do about the power on Wall Street. My family is very much a working class family, and we have felt the consequences of a corporation's ruthless scramble to gain more money. Before I was born, six members of my mother's family were killed when a coal waste dam broke. The corporation had built the dam on loose sediment instead of rock because they didn't want to spend the money to dig down to rock. My mother's memories of that has always been a strong part of my identity, and I have never quite gotten past my distrust of corporations. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one.

The tsumani in Japan made me look at my own woes in a different light. I know that almost nothing i've gone through affects me nearly as much as they've been affected. The event also made me look at nuclear power in a different way. There is no way to completely safeguard anything, i've realized, no matter how hard you try, you can't stop the movement of the earth.

The Delaware civil rights bill. Going to the signing was very moving. Obviously I'll be impacted by not being a criminal in my state for any more by virtue of having married another woman in Massachusetts while I was a DE resident. And it's nice knowing that if one of us loses her job, at least she doesn't have to lose the health insurance. We're now genuine second class citizens, and grateful for that. (not settling for it, though.)

I really am angry about the way the Republicans have taken the country hostage and forgotten that the majority of their constituants are the poor and middle class.

The economic crisis in Europe has affected my perception of the economy, and didn't increase my confidence in our "modern" society. Also, the arab spring makes for interesting futures. I just hope they'll be able to manage it better than we did, but I am not holding my breath.

The continued efforts to delegitimize Israel, culminating in the vote on Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly, made me think about how I take the existence of the State of Israel for granted and how I need to be more outspoken in my defense of Israel. I have also been saddened by the famine in Somolia, which seems like the sort of thing that shouldn't be happening in this day and age.

There were so many significant events that impact the world. I am still feeling the effects of the high unemployment. Its been hard finding a job in Charlotte, but I am extremely optimistic.

The fall of Mubarak in Egypt. My sister and I were I. Egypt in December, right before it all happened, for the wedding of our American Aunt to an Egyptian man from Cairo. We had a great time and were shocked to see the changes so soon after we had left. It was a scary time, and still is, when we consider how helpless we are to aid our family, especially when one of them is so clearly not native. We hope for their safety.

The london riots were pretty upsetting. Seeing the city that I now call home just rip itself apart is something very enlightening. I hope never to see something like it again but who knows.

Invisible Children came to my school recently. The documentary was really inspiring, it made me want to help out and have the connection that the roadies have with each other and the children they meet. I know now that I can't just live a normal life - college, job, family. I knew it before, but now I have a better idea how.

The violence in Mexico has kept me from visiting now that I am so close to the border. The are plenty of things that happened but this one affected me personally.

The killing of Osama bin Laden impacted me much more than I thought it would this past year. My young adult life has been framed by the war on terror, the new fear of terrorism and the search for bin Laden. As a student of international relations, my field has changed so much as a result of 9/11. When he was finally caught and killed, I felt happier than I thought I would but also more confused. Was the war on terror now over? Who would be the next terrorist to take his place? And, most importantly, have the rules of war completely changed so that we can simply kill instead of taking prisoner -- a question further punctuated by the killing of al-Awlaki later that year.

I might just be living in a bobble because once more I can’t come up with an world event that have impacted my life.

I'd be tempted to say the economy has impacted me, but that's not really true. I'm making more money this year than I have for the past two. As well, Kim is making great money, and we're not supporting our kids with financial aid. So, really, I think the one event that has impacted us the most, is the sheer number of natural disasters around the world. Especially the one in Japan. It seems as if I now know someone personally who has been affected by these disasters, and it makes me think about where the world is heading. There's only so much I can do to help, but I am doing at least something. More than I ever did before, anyway.

The death of Osama Bin Laden truly impacted me this year. I think that this event struck me more than the tenth anniversary of September 11th. Watching president Obama on the news and being from the tri-state area, the only thing I could think of was September 11th 2001, the day, the images, the aftermath, and everything having to do with that day. His death did not signify the end of an era for me, rather it simply brought back memories that I had attempted to suppress for almost 10 years.

The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I've spent 3 years periodically researching it and advocating on behalf of the victims. This culminated in the research, writing and defense of my senior thesis.

It may not have made world news headlines, but the death of my friend's daughter, Simi, just 1 year old from leukemia has affected how I approach life. I'm much more happy and content with small joys.

ummm nothing is coming to mind. what is wrong with me? ha. i guess i just feel like bad things happen out there all the time. the world is a shitty place. i know it's full of good things too, but some of the most inspiring are bad - like apple products. bad for the workers who assemble them, and the environment. everything has a dark side. then must all the bad things i see also have another side that i'm missing that is not so bad? am i slanting things to the negative? am i depressed? :) if the most inspiring i find is apple products, maybe that's a sign that i need to add some more genuinely inspiring things to my life... like what?

I was shocked by Amy Winehouse's untimely death. I wasn't surprised, but was saddened that Amy had lost her fight against addiction. I read a number of articles and watched tribute documentaries, I thought about the loss of such creative talent. And the loss of a daughter, lover, friend, icon. Her music touched me, especially when having difficult times of my own. Strange how even though you didn't know them, you can still feel a loss when someone's gone.

Tsunami in Japan? Not sure. The uprising in the Middle East made me hopeful for Israel, but neither of those things really impacted me personally. Am I too much in a bubble?

The revolutions in the Middle East carried out by people my age, mobilizing with social media and fighting bravely in chaotic situations leaves me feeling both close and far away, grateful for what I have and inspired by technology.

I'm surprised to say I don't have an answer to this question. Will this be the case in 2012?

Was I impacted by the Arab spring, the Japanese tsumami, the rise and rage of the stupid motherfucking Tea Party? Not really. Maybe inasmuch as I worry that word is more uncertain and cataclysmic than ever, that planet feels more and more hysterical and crisis-prone. Are we headed to a big awful breakdown? Or is this just the latest big historical shift, the decline of an empire?

I think the legalization of gay marriage in New York affected me in a very positive way. I'm not gay but I'd say gay rights is the biggest social issue I care about. It breaks my heart to see people in love discriminated against. The fact that the greatest city in the world stood up and said NO MORE made me feel wonderful in my heart.

Ohio passed a very restrictive abortion law. I was upset for days. Had this law been in effect 2 years ago, I would have likely killed myself.

Gosh. I've been so focused on my family and home life (with a newborn) that I can't think of an event in the world that has impacted me this year. Wow.

World Health Organisation says that every ten seconds a baby dies of hunger. How cruel! By the time I enjoy a course of pasta, 120 babies would have died without even a bread to eat.

Nothing in particular comes to mind, but the large amount of revolutions and civil wars that have been popping up amazes me and makes me both fearful and hopeful for the future. The Occupy Wall Street movement is going on right now and I'm wondering how that will pan out. Also, the growth of the Tea Party scares the absolute shit out of me, to put it lightly.

I remember reading this question every year, and never wanting to answer it, mostly because it does not fit with the self-reflection vibe of the rest of the 10Q. I guess this year I would have to say that if I were to pick an event that affected me the most, I would choose the earthquake in Japan. It definitely made me think about the quake-prone Bay Area, and what I need to do to prepare. Have I taken any of those steps yet? No...but maybe by the time the next Rosh HaShanah rolls around I will have!

CLTC 2 2011 impacted me in ways indescribable. it was the best 12 days ever and I couldn't imagine having to live without that once in a lifetime experience.

I have to say I can not think of anything off the top of my head. I live a very isolated life. I suppose some may think it is a bad thing, but it is pleasant and enjoyable. One day, I will have to grow up and be aware of the world around me, but for now, I just get to live in ignorance and that is pretty fun.

Watching the Chilean miners be rescued this year made me happy for what humanity can do and the strength of those men. The event helped remind me all the little struggles in life are really not that important and to focus on the good moments.

I think the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It made me take a moment to think about the last ten years of my life, how much I've grown and changed since I was 17.

Economic Crisis - Fear of civilization crumbling. Close to home: husband terrified of losing job. Riots and revolution all over the world - the death and destruction balanced with the spirit and passion of so many people around the globe, gives hope. To witness people surviving and struggling with so much less than what we have, and be so committed to an ideal.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan kept us all riveted for weeks. It showed how much damage can be done by a natural disaster. It also showed how a country that is prepared is affected as opposed to one that is not [Haiti, for example]. Hopefully, it has made the US realize that we are not prepared for an event like this and changes need to be made.

Watching the Arab Spring protests unfold, and seeing the sparks in Madison... and now the Occupy Wall Street and other areas which are sparking all over. It's great to see people taking collecting political action (even if I'm not one of them).

I Started listening to NPR alot so much so that I pledged this year! :) I think listening to all of the political uproar/ natural disasters/ and revolutions really gave me perspective on how little I know abotu the world around em and awoke a sense of no-thing-ness that we all share as one living breathing entity

I know that there were tons of natural disasters. but done have really affected me. Earthquakes in California were the closest ones to me.

Hurricane Irene had a big impact on me and the area that I live in. There was flooding everywhere. Its made me appreciate the power of nature more than ever. What we as humans build can easily be taken away in so little time. I think its made me more environmentally conscious.

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan really drove home for me how tenuous Life can be. We had friends working there at the time and waiting to hear their fate was excruciating! Watching and waiting made me grateful for the age of technology in which we live while humbling me to fact that all plans & technology can be for naught in the face of Mother Nature.